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2012 SESSION

12100819D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 113
Offered January 17, 2012
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Elmon T. Gray.
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Patrons-- Norment, Barker, Black, Blevins, Carrico, Colgan, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Hanger, Herring, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Vogel, Wagner and Watkins
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WHEREAS, Elmon T. Gray, a proud alumnus of Virginia Military Institute, admired business leader, noted philanthropist, and former member of the Senate of Virginia, died on September 27, 2011; and

WHEREAS, as a young cadet at Virginia Military Institute, Elmon Gray interrupted his studies to join thousands of other young men of his generation in the war effort, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard minesweepers in the Pacific during World War II; and

WHEREAS, upon completion of his military service and education, Elmon Gray returned to Southside Virginia, eventually taking the helm of his family’s lumber and banking companies while also developing his own successful business projects and serving on several corporate boards; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, Elmon Gray was elected to the Senate of Virginia, occupying the seat held by his father, Senator Garland Gray, and ably representing the citizens of part of Chesterfield County and the Counties of Prince George, Surry, and Sussex and the Cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated legislator, Elmon Gray saw a variety of changes in the Commonwealth during his 20-year tenure and worked on a wide array of important legislation while serving his constituents and the Commonwealth with great distinction; and

WHEREAS, a highly regarded business leader, Elmon Gray brought a wealth of practical experience and knowledge to the Senate Commerce and Labor and Transportation Committees as he worked alongside other legislators to create and pass legislation that would help businesses thrive; and

WHEREAS, mindful of the importance of education to his own success, Elmon Gray championed the strong support of the Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and chair of the Senate’s Education and Health Committee; and

WHEREAS, Elmon Gray remained a stalwart supporter of Virginia Military Institute throughout his life, helping raise millions of dollars for the school, while also raising funds for other institutions and organizations; and

WHEREAS, Elmon Gray took particular pride in the creation of the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology in Petersburg, which continues to prepare talented and skilled young thinkers and artists from the Southside area for advanced study; and

WHEREAS, an effective advocate and devoted public servant, Elmon Gray served his family, community, Commonwealth, and country with great passion and energy; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Pamela, Elmon Gray will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Katharine, Garland, and Bruce, and their families; his colleagues on both sides of the aisle; and the citizens of the Commonwealth; 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 one of its admired former members, Elmon T. Gray; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Elmon T. Gray as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory and service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.