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2011 SESSION

11103219D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 739
Offered January 21, 2011
Celebrating the life of John Alison Baum.
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Patrons-- Knight, Cosgrove, Iaquinto, Purkey, Stolle, Tata and Villanueva; Senators: Blevins, McWaters, and Wagner
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WHEREAS, John Alison Baum, a former City of Virginia Beach councilman and admired leader in land conservation, died on December 6, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Virginia Beach, John Baum received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech before entering United States Navy Officer Candidate School at the end of World War II; and

WHEREAS, John Baum returned to his beloved hometown, where he worked as a member of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil and Conservation Service for Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and later the United States Army Corps of Engineers; and

WHEREAS, a farmer, John Baum loved and appreciated the land he lived on; he created the only subsurface (tile) drainage farmland in Virginia Beach and was one of the first to install water control structures for water quality and crop production as well as land leveling for drainage enhancement; and

WHEREAS, John Baum’s farm became the model for crop production, water quality, and wildlife management in the area and received numerous visitors who desired to learn more about sustainable farming; and

WHEREAS, a true community leader, John Baum served as a faithful member of the Virginia Beach City Council representing the Blackwater District for 28 years, where he worked diligently to ensure effective and efficient government for local residents; and

WHEREAS, John Baum served as the City’s representative to the Virginia Beach Planning Commission and Wetlands Board; was a member of the Farmland Preservation Committee, which developed the City’s Agricultural Reserve Program to protect local farmland; and was a member of the Virginia Beach Farm Bureau board of directors; and

WHEREAS, John Baum received numerous awards and accolades during his life for his many accomplishments, including recognition from the Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District and Buyers Committee for the Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Show; and

WHEREAS, John Baum was named Virginia Beach’s “Man of the Year in Agriculture” in 1990 and for several years received “Leader of Sustainability” recognition for the number of pine trees planted by one person; and

WHEREAS, known and respected for his humble spirit and compassion for others, John Baum served as a loyal Ruritan for 60 years and was a stalwart member of Blackwater Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, John Baum’s lifelong work to conserve and protect the agricultural lands in Virginia Beach and educate his fellow residents about the wise stewardship of their land have left a lasting mark on the area; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, John Baum will be greatly missed by his loving family, many friends, and numerous admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a beloved community leader and respected citizen of the Commonwealth, John Alison Baum; 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 John Alison Baum as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory and dedication to protecting the Commonwealth’s great natural resources.