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2010 SESSION

10104588D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 251
Offered February 9, 2010
Celebrating the life of Michael E. Mares.
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Patrons-- Oder, Abbott, BaCote and Pogge
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WHEREAS, Michael E. Mares CPA/ABV, J.D., of Hampton, a nationally renowned tax expert and a revered partner and cofounder of Witt Mares, PLC, died on October 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, a longtime resident, business leader, and community servant in the Hampton Roads area, Michael “Mike” Mares received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Virginia (UVA) and earned a law degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at The College of William & Mary; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant certified public accountant with the Newport News accounting firm of Witt Mares, PLC, Mike Mares authored many books and articles on the Internal Revenue Service and federal tax laws, testified before both houses of Congress regarding tax policy, and was regularly interviewed by the national media for his commentary on complex tax issues; and

WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Mike Mares received many awards and accolades for his contributions to his profession, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 2006 Arthur J. Dixon Memorial Award, the highest award given by the accounting profession in the area of taxation, and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants 1998 Outstanding Member award; and

WHEREAS, Mike Mares was repeatedly named one of Virginia's "Super CPAs" by Virginia Business magazine and was five times named by Accounting Today as one of the "100 Most Influential CPAs in the U.S."; and

WHEREAS, Mike Mares was a tireless volunteer for the AICPA, serving as a member of the board of directors and as a leader and valuable member of numerous executive committees; and

WHEREAS, a gifted and immensely popular public speaker, Mike Mares joined with E. Lynn Nichols in 2007 to form Mares Nichols CPE, Inc., a national professional education firm that develops programs and seminars for public accountants; and

WHEREAS, Mike Mares generously gave his time and expertise to many civic and professional organizations over the years, including as vice-chair of what is now the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council; as a member and leader of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Bar Association, Virginia State Bar Association, and Newport News Bar Association; and as an active volunteer and member of the Mary Immaculate Hospital board of directors, Virginia War Museum Foundation, and Newport News Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, a practical jokester who was a joy to be around, Mike Mares was an accomplished actor in community theater, an avid reader of World War II books, and a loyal and enthusiastic fan of UVA football; and

WHEREAS, Mike Mares will be long remembered for his keen mind, his sharp wit, and his devotion to his family, and will be greatly missed by his wife, Terri; his daughter, Carol Mares; his sons, Bobby Mares and his wife, Tina, and Tom Mares and his wife, Natalie; his mother, Pat Mares; his six grandchildren; and his many other family members, good friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Michael E. Mares; 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 Michael E. Mares as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.