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2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 513
Celebrating the life of John P. Fishwick.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 25, 2011
 

WHEREAS, John P. Fishwick, the former president of Norfolk & Western Railway and an admired civic supporter, died on August 9, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the son of immigrants, John P. “Jack” Fishwick was born in Roanoke, graduated from Jefferson High School, and received a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and a law degree from Harvard Law School; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fishwick worked as an attorney for several years before answering the call to duty and proudly serving his country in the United States Navy during World War II as the captain of a submarine chaser and commander of a destroyer; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Jack Fishwick joined the Norfolk & Western Railway law department as the assistant to the general solicitor in Roanoke, eventually becoming senior vice president and a member of the board in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fishwick was named chairman and chief executive officer of Erie Lackawanna Railway and president of Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, both affiliates of Norfolk & Western Railway, in 1968; and

WHEREAS, in 1970, Jack Fishwick became the president and chief executive officer of Norfolk & Western Railway and 10 years later, assumed the role of chairman and chief executive officer; and

WHEREAS, an astute attorney known for his strong work ethic, Jack Fishwick expertly negotiated the consolidation of Southern Railway with Norfolk & Western Railway to form Norfolk Southern Corp., one of the nation’s largest railroads; and

WHEREAS, a strategic thinker, Jack Fishwick made the difficult decision to move the railroad’s corporate headquarters from Roanoke to Norfolk, which helped ensure the company’s survival as other railroads faced declining business; and

WHEREAS, an innovative leader, Jack Fishwick advocated the promotion of women and minorities and started a treatment program for employees with drinking problems; and

WHEREAS, Jack Fishwick left his imprint on downtown Roanoke as one of the founders of Center in the Square and through his service with numerous organizations, including the local chamber of commerce, the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, and the Roanoke Symphony Society; and

WHEREAS, a passionate believer in the power of education, Jack Fishwick endowed a chair in the English Department at his alma mater, Roanoke College; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Blair, Jack Fishwick will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Doreen; children, Ellen, Anne, and John, and their families; stepchildren Patricia and David, and their families; and his numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an influential business leader and admired community supporter, John P. Fishwick; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John P. Fishwick as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.