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2008 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 298
Commending William H. Leighty.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 1, 2008
Agreed to by the Senate, February 7, 2008

 

WHEREAS, William H. Leighty retired in 2007 after 29 years of outstanding service to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, William “Bill” Leighty served as chief of staff for both Governor Timothy M. Kaine, beginning in January 2006, and Governor Mark R. Warner, beginning in January 2002, and he skillfully assisted in carrying out the plans and initiatives of both the Kaine and Warner administrations; and

WHEREAS, before serving the Kaine and Warner administrations, Bill Leighty was appointed in 1995 as the director of the Virginia Retirement System, where he was responsible for all administrative aspects of the Commonwealth’s $30 billion state pension fund; and

WHEREAS, born to a military family in Stuttgart, Germany, Bill Leighty traveled extensively throughout the United States during his childhood; and

WHEREAS, Bill Leighty served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a computer technician until 1975 and after his honorable discharge from military service, he moved to Henrico County in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Bill Leighty earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1978 from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and received a master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University; he was a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute in 1985 and the Governor's School for Strategic Leadership at Duke University in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Bill Leighty began his exemplary career in public service in 1978 as a research economist with the Virginia Department of Taxation and was selected to serve on the newly created staff of the Senate Finance Committee as an economist/analyst in 1980; and

WHEREAS, a hardworking and skilled administrator and advisor, Bill Leighty served in vital posts in the administrations of several other governors, including those of James S. Gilmore, George Allen, and Gerald L. Baliles, serving as the assistant director of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform, the deputy commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the deputy secretary of Transportation; overseeing seven state agencies―the Virginia Departments of Transportation, Aviation, Motor Vehicles, Emergency Services, Military Affairs, Fire Programs, and Virginia Port Authority; and serving as a member of the Commonwealth Performance Management Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, a tireless advocate for Virginia, Bill Leighty has been an enthusiastic supporter and leader in numerous civic and professional organizations that are vital partners of the Commonwealth, and he has received many awards and accolades over the years for his exemplary service; and

WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career in public service, Bill Leighty has been dedicated to the prosperity and economic development of Virginia and the best interests and well-being of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Bill Leighty is married to the former Marti Kearns of Newport News and the couple has a wonderful son, Matthew Leighty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend William H. Leighty on his 29 years of visionary leadership and excellent public service to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William H. Leighty as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his many achievements and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.