SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2004 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 503
Commending Joseph B. Benedetti.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2004
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2004

WHEREAS, Joseph B. Benedetti, a native of Richmond, has served his community, the Commonwealth, and the nation with great distinction for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Benedetti served in the United States Army during the occupation of Japan, then returned home to attend The College of William and Mary and earned his bachelor's degree in 1951; and

WHEREAS, upon graduation, Joseph Benedetti was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army and served in the Korean Conflict, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in combat; and

WHEREAS, after his tour in Korea, Joseph Benedetti earned his law degree from the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond and began the general practice of law with an emphasis on civil litigation; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Benedetti continued his military service with the Army National Guard, was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis, and retired from the Reserves with the rank of major; and

WHEREAS, in 1963 Joseph Benedetti ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate for the House of Delegates, and over the next several years, held various volunteer positions with the Richmond Republican Committee and the Republican Party of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1982 he again ran for the House of Delegates and defeated the incumbent for the 69th House District seat; was reelected to the House without opposition in 1983 and 1985; and during the summer of 1986, was elected to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Edward E. Willey; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Benedetti was reelected to the Senate in 1987, 1991, and 1995, representing the citizens of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Powhatan Counties; and

WHEREAS, from 1988 to 1991, Joseph Benedetti served as cochairman of the Joint Republican Caucus, and in 1992 he was selected by his fellow Republicans to be Minority Leader of the Senate; and

WHEREAS, in January 1998, Joseph Benedetti resigned from the Senate of Virginia to head the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and following four years of meritorious service, retired from public service; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Benedetti has been involved in numerous civic and fraternal organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, and American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Benedetti served as chairman of the State Board of Corrections during the administration of Governor John Dalton and has been honored with the St. George Award for service to youth and the Brotherhood Award given by the National Conference of Christians and Jews; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Joseph B. Benedetti for his lifetime of outstanding service to the community, to the General Assembly of Virginia, and to the nation; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Joseph B. Benedetti as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for his many contributions to the Commonwealth.