SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2013 SESSION

13100470D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 632
Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 8, 2013
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Marion Patton Echols, Jr.
----------

Patrons-- Brink, Hope, Krupicka and Lopez; Senators: Ebbin, Favola and Howell
----------

WHEREAS, the Honorable Marion Patton Echols, Jr., an engineer and attorney who faithfully served the residents of Arlington County and the Commonwealth as a member of the Senate of Virginia, died on July 26, 2012; and

WHEREAS, born in what was then the Territory of Hawaii, where his father was stationed, Marion “Pat” Echols graduated from Virginia Military Institute as the valedictorian of the Class of 1945; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, Pat Echols embarked on an engineering career, which was interrupted by his induction into the United States Army during the Korean War; he continued to proudly serve his country as a reserve officer for several decades, retiring as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, after the Korean War, Pat Echols pursued his career in engineering and attended the George Washington University Law School at night, graduating in 1958 and working at an Arlington law firm before opening his own practice in 1964; and

WHEREAS, a skilled attorney, Pat Echols faithfully served his clients while also becoming actively engaged in local civic and political affairs; and

WHEREAS, a former Democrat, Pat Echols served as chair of the Arlington County Republican Committee before his election to the Senate of Virginia in 1969 as the first Republican state senator from Arlington; and

WHEREAS, Pat Echols ably represented Arlington County during his tenure in the Senate and championed legislation that would benefit the residents of the Commonwealth, taking particular pride in supporting efforts to preserve the scenic Eastern Shore from large-scale development; and

WHEREAS, Pat Echols provided strong leadership to various Arlington County organizations, such as the Arlington County Civic Federation, Arlington Committee of 100, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Washington Savoyards, and Optimist Club of Arlington; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated public and community servant, Pat Echols devoted countless hours to the betterment of his fellow Arlington County residents and Virginians; and

WHEREAS, Pat Echols will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Beth; children, Ruth, Patton III, Tucker, and Susan, and their families; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 one of its former members, the Honorable Marion Patton Echols, Jr.; 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 the Honorable Marion Patton Echols, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.