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2006 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 267
Celebrating the life of William B. Rowland, Jr.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2006
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2006
 

WHEREAS, William B. Rowland, Jr., an admired citizen and a dedicated public servant of the Commonwealth of Virginia for over 30 years, died on January 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, William B. "Bill" Rowland, Jr., of Richmond, earned a bachelor’s degree from Augusta College and received a master’s degree from the University of Georgia; he passionately continued lifelong learning by pursuing further education in environmental health planning at the Robert Taft Engineering Center, critical path analysis at the Georgia Institute of Technology, computerized mapping at Harvard University, leadership at the USDA Graduate School, and management and leadership at the Virginia Executive Institute; and

WHEREAS, Bill Rowland devoted his life to public service, and during a long and distinguished career, worked diligently and with considerable expertise, especially in the areas of management, strategic planning, and budgeting at the local, state, and federal levels of government; and

WHEREAS, prior to his state service, Bill Rowland worked in senior city planner positions for the cities of Augusta and Gainesville, Georgia, and Richmond, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, during his exemplary tenure with the Commonwealth, Bill Rowland served as the deputy director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from 1992-1994, the director of Executive Services in the Office of the Governor from 1990-1992, the deputy director of the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) from 1976-1990, and as the associate director and in other key positions of the Division of State Planning and Community Affairs, a predecessor of DPB, from 1971-1976; and

WHEREAS, because of his vast knowledge and experience in government, Bill Rowland's opinion on and analysis of public policy issues, the management of public programs, and the organization of government were sought by numerous state elected officials, including seven governors, two lieutenant governors, two attorneys general, and numerous members of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Bill Rowland was an invaluable advisor on the House of Delegates’ historical project, “Virginia General Assembly--A Commemorative Session Honoring the 375th Anniversary of the Beginning of Legislative Government in British America,” held on July 30, 1994, at the Jamestown Settlement in conjunction with the Senate of Virginia and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Bill Rowland was a highly valued and respected member of the Board of Trustees of the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia and served on its Executive Committee and Committee on the Future; and

WHEREAS, for the past several years, Bill Rowland served as a senior partner with his own international management consulting firm, The Consultancy, Ltd., and advised policymakers at every level of government, at home and abroad, on civic and political affairs with great dignity and sensitivity; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Bill Rowland received countless honors for his outstanding public service, but he was especially proud of commendations from two United States presidents and the president of France; and

WHEREAS, Bill Rowland will be remembered respectfully for his profound wisdom, his superior leadership, and his uncommon dedication to Virginia and will be sorely missed by his beloved wife, children, and many other family members; his numerous friends, colleagues, and admirers; and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an extraordinary public servant and outstanding Virginian, William B. Rowland, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William B. Rowland, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s great respect for his memory.