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2008 SESSION

089055762
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 444
Offered February 20, 2008
Commending Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.
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Patrons-- Vanderhye, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, Mathieson, May, McClellan, Melvin, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Moran, Morgan, Morrissey, Nichols, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Poisson, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright; Senators: Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple
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WHEREAS, Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., retired in 2007 after 40 years of exceptional service in the House of Delegates of Virginia representing the 34th House District, which encompasses part of Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., Vincent Callahan was in the United States Marine Corps from 1950 to 1952, serving in the Korean War, and he was a lieutenant with the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1959 to 1963; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Callahan earned a bachelor’s degree at Georgetown University in 1957 and did graduate work at American University; he worked as an editor and publisher and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1965 before being elected to the House of Delegates in 1967 as a member of the Republican Party; and

WHEREAS, the longest-serving Republican in the House and the second longest-serving member of the House overall at the time of his retirement, Vincent Callahan was one of only 14 Republicans in the 100-member House of Delegates when he was elected; and

WHEREAS, when Republicans gained parity and then finally surpassed Democrats in the late 1990s and thus were able to take control of legislative committees, Vincent Callahan assumed the powerful position of chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Callahan’s influence increased as Northern Virginia grew and the region’s significant population and economic power gave it a louder voice in the General Assembly, and he used that influence to champion many issues during his long tenure, but education and human services were frequently at the top of his agenda; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Callahan played a key role in promoting the development of George Mason University, securing funding for important building projects and helping the institution become a leader in higher education in the Commonwealth and the country; and

WHEREAS, a strong advocate for the Wolf Trap Foundation in Vienna, Vincent Callahan always sought out support for the foundation’s many arts education programs, which reach thousands of children; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Callahan is well-known for his dedication to improving services for the mentally ill, and he frequently backed legislation to create new programs or to better fund existing programs in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity who wielded his power with deftness and aplomb, Vincent Callahan was an outstanding representative, always keeping his constituents’ best interests at heart; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., on his 40 years of exceptional service in the House of Delegates; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s deep respect and admiration for his commitment to the Commonwealth and its citizens.