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2011 SESSION

11105427D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 514
Offered February 21, 2011
Commending the Honorable Edward M. Turner III.
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Patrons-- Reynolds; Delegates: Armstrong, Marshall, D.W. and Merricks
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Unanimous consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Edward M. Turner III, the distinguished General District Court Chief Judge of the 27th Judicial District, retired on January 1, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Carroll County public schools, Edward Turner earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he commanded the University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps unit; and

WHEREAS, upon completing his undergraduate education, Edward Turner entered active military service as an officer with the United States Air Force; he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions over North Vietnam as a B-52 Stratofortress pilot; and

WHEREAS, after leaving active military duty with the rank of captain in 1970, Edward Turner joined the Washington, D.C., staff of the Honorable Dan Daniel, United States Congressman for the Fifth District of Virginia, where he served as Mr. Daniel’s special assistant; and

WHEREAS, Edward Turner then attended the T.C. Williams School of Law of the University of Richmond; he received his law degree in December 1975 and was admitted to the bar in April 1976; and

WHEREAS, Edward Turner entered into solo practice in Hillsville, where he practiced law with great distinction; was appointed a Substitute District Court Judge; and continued his services as a Reserve Air Force officer until 1991, at which time he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, respected by his colleagues for his keen insight and knowledge of the law, Edward Turner served as president of the Carroll County and 27th Judicial Circuit Bar Associations; and

WHEREAS, Edward Turner generously gave of his time and talents to the community as a member of the boards of directors of corporations, public service companies, and civic organizations; and

WHEREAS, after 16 years in the practice of law, Edward Turner was selected by the General Assembly in 1992 as a General District Court Judge of the 27th Judicial District; he was subsequently reappointed three times and served as Chief Judge of the General District Court; and

WHEREAS, an admired jurist, Judge Turner heard a variety of cases and demonstrated great fairness and integrity during his tenure, earning the respect of his peers, who elected him president of the Association of District Court Judges of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Judge Turner retired from the bench on January 1, 2011, but he continues to serve as a retired/recalled judge; and

WHEREAS, Judge Turner now divides his time between his farm and recall duties and enjoys the companionship of his wife, Ashby, and his three adult children, Edward M. Turner IV, Samuel D. Turner, M.D. (Lt. Commander, United States Navy), and Anne D. Turner, their spouses, and his three grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Honorable Edward M. Turner III for his years of distinguished service on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Edward M. Turner III as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his commitment to justice and public service.