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2006 SPECIAL SESSION I


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5037
Celebrating the life of V. Earl Dickinson.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, June 19, 2006
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 20, 2006
 

WHEREAS, V. Earl Dickinson of Mineral, respected citizen of the Commonwealth and distinguished member of the House of Delegates from 1972 until 2002, died on June 15, 2006; and

WHEREAS, born on July 7, 1924, in Spotsylvania County, Earl Dickinson was educated in Spotsylvania County Public Schools, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Richmond, attended the University of Virginia School of Law, and served his country for three years in the United States Army and the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, in 1991, Earl Dickinson was awarded an honorary doctorate of social service by his alma mater, the University of Richmond, for his many contributions to the well-being of all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, a farmer and owner of a successful lumber company, Earl Dickinson began his career in public service as a member and chairman of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, Earl Dickinson was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1972 and faithfully and effectively served the residents of the 56th District, which included the counties of Fluvanna, Goochland, and Louisa and part of Spotsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Earl Dickinson was a respected member of the House Rules and Joint Rules Committees, an influential member of the Privileges and Elections and Transportation Committees, and chairman and later co-chairman of the prestigious House Appropriations Committee from 1996 until 2001; and

WHEREAS, Earl Dickinson was dedicated to public policies that supported economic development, expanded transportation access, and improved the quality of life of citizens in rural areas across the Commonwealth, and he was an invaluable member of the Commission on Transportation in the 21st Century; and

WHEREAS, a great believer in the importance of learning and equal opportunity, Earl Dickinson was steadfast in his commitment to quality education for all of the students in Virginia’s public school systems and institutions of higher learning; and

WHEREAS, an experienced senior legislator, Earl Dickinson served his constituents for three decades with tremendous skill and integrity and patroned important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Earl Dickinson generously contributed his time and talents to many professional and civic organizations and served as district governor of the Virginia Association of Lions, as trustee for the Montpelier Council for Historic Preservation and the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, as trustee and vice-chairman of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and as a member of the Louisa County Ruritan Club, the American Legion, and the Farm Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Earl Dickinson was also a great friend and benefactor of the University of Mary Washington; and

WHEREAS, always concerned for the welfare of his neighbors and his community, Earl Dickinson was an active and faithful member of Mineral Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon; and

WHEREAS, a passionate lawmaker with a vast knowledge of state government, Earl Dickinson will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his devoted wife, Mary Lou, his numerous loving family members and friends, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of the General Assembly, and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of a fine statesman and outstanding Virginian, V. Earl Dickinson; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of V. Earl Dickinson as an expression of the General Assembly's deep and abiding respect for his memory.