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2012 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21
Celebrating the life of David K. Wiecking, M.D.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 13, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, January 19, 2012

 

WHEREAS, David K. Wiecking, M.D., who transformed the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia into one of the top forensic laboratories in the nation during his 21-year tenure as Chief Medical Examiner from 1972 to 1993, died on July 22, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., David Wiecking received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University; he then served in the United States Navy before earning a medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and completing his medical residency and a law degree at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a pioneering leader, Dr. Wiecking recognized the important role that forensic medicine could play and was a strong advocate of Virginia’s medical examiner system, which requires physicians to have forensic qualifications; and

WHEREAS, under the direction of Dr. Wiecking, the state medical examiner’s office participated in the nation’s first successful DNA-based prosecution for a capital crime, a case that changed forensic medicine; and

WHEREAS, a skilled administrator, Dr. Wiecking ran the state medical examiner’s office with great efficiency, emphasizing quality work, professionalism, and commitment to service, while also expanding the staff and number of offices statewide; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Wiecking shared his insights and experience with a rising generation as an educator at the Medical College of Virginia and Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Wiecking made numerous contributions to his profession and earned the respect of his colleagues through his service with various professional organizations; and

WHEREAS, in his spare time, Dr. Wiecking enjoyed traveling across the United States with his wife, Mary Jane, and cheering on his beloved Redskins and favorite baseball teams; and

WHEREAS, an innovative physician, Dr. Wiecking helped the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia embrace changing technology and methods that would lay the foundation for the high regard in which it is held today; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, David Wiecking will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Mary Jane; children, James, Caroline, and Janet, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and 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 respected physician who served the Commonwealth with great distinction, David K. Wiecking, M.D.; 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 David K. Wiecking, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.