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2008 SESSION

084862520
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 419
Offered February 19, 2008
Celebrating the life of Thomas W. Farrell.
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Patrons-- Griffith, Fralin, Poindexter and Ware, O.; Senators: Edwards and Smith
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WHEREAS, Thomas W. Farrell, a respected citizen and outstanding attorney, died tragically after being struck by a car during a morning run on the streets near his home in Roanoke County on January 28, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Thomas “Tom” W. Farrell was born in Rochester, New York, on February 1, 1958, the son of Bill and Mary Farrell, graduated from Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, and moved to Northern Virginia in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Tom Farrell worked as a legislative associate for a congressman and for several associations in the Washington, D.C., area during law school and graduated from George Mason University School of Law in 1987; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated and gifted lawyer, Tom Farrell began his distinguished law career as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Danville from 1987 to 1990 and moved with his family to Roanoke in 1990 to join the law firm of WootenHart PLC as a partner; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Farrell graduated from Leadership Roanoke Valley in 2005 and was a member of many professional organizations, including the Roanoke, Danville, Virginia, and American Bar Associations and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys; and

WHEREAS, a strong believer in civic duty, Tom Farrell was a member of the Roanoke Valley Breakfast Lions Club for 15 years, serving as president in 1996 - 1997, and he was honored with the Club’s Lion of the Year award in 1993 and 1995 for his many achievements and contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, a wonderful father and a fine role model and mentor to all young people, Tom Farrell was a coach for the SW County Youth Softball and Soccer League for many years during his daughters' participation in youth sports and an enthusiastic supporter of the Hidden Valley High School Athletic Boosters Club; and

WHEREAS, always willing to help his fellow citizens, Tom Farrell was a faithful member of the Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, a member of the Roanoke Athletic Club for 18 years, Tom Farrell enjoyed keeping physically fit, was a swimmer and an avid runner, and he ran and finished the Richmond Marathon in 2006 and 2007; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Farrell will be fondly remembered for his great devotion to family, his playful sense of humor, and his compassion, perseverance, and dedication to running; and

WHEREAS, Tom Farrell will be greatly missed by his loving wife Connie and his beautiful daughters Elizabeth and Katie; his parents, Bill and Mary; his sisters, Mary, Teresa, and Sharon and his brother, Bill, and their wonderful families; his colleagues in the legal community; and numerous friends and admirers in Roanoke County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Thomas W. Farrell; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas W. Farrell as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.