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2013 SESSION

13101171D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 714
Offered January 11, 2013
Celebrating the life of William Henry Wood.
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Patrons-- Toscano, Anderson, Bulova, Cosgrove, Dudenhefer, Garrett, Greason, Herring, Keam, Kory, Lewis, Lopez, Marshall, D.W., McClellan, Minchew, Peace, Sickles, Yancey and Yost; Senators: Alexander, Deeds, Ebbin, Northam and Reeves
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WHEREAS, William Henry Wood, who served as a voice of reason and civility in his professional roles as a newspaperman and founding director of the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, died on November 16, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Virginia Episcopal School of Lynchburg and Duke University, William “Bill” Wood spent more than two decades in the newspaper industry, working for the Daily News-Record before joining the Ledger-Star; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wood spent more than a decade covering courts, city councils, and the General Assembly and, after the merger of the Ledger-Star with the Virginian-Pilot, became ombudsman and served as the Pilot’s editorial page editor for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, known for his courteous, mild manner, Bill Wood examined the issues of the day from all angles to provide fair, accurate, and clear commentary to his readers and elevate the level of public discourse; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wood’s experience covering political affairs and reputation for impartiality and civility led him to become the first director of the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia in 1993 and to serve as its first executive director; and

WHEREAS, through his role as executive director of the Sorensen Institute, Bill Wood labored to provide emerging local and state political leaders with the practical skills and knowledge needed to become effective public servants; and

WHEREAS, today, 1,500 Virginians have reaped the benefits of education and training at the Sorensen Institute through its Political Leaders Program, Candidate Training Program, College Leaders Program, High School Leaders Program, and Emerging Leaders Program, including 22 current members of the General Assembly, 11 of whom are Democrats and 11 of whom are Republicans; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wood’s visionary efforts have helped raise the quality of governance at all levels throughout the Commonwealth as emerging leaders gained important perspective, insight, and knowledge through their training at the Sorensen Institute; and

WHEREAS, after retiring as director in 2005, Bill Wood worked part time as editor of The Virginia News Letter and director of the publications division of the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wood devoted his career to helping create an enlightened society of an educated citizenry and political leaders from both sides of the aisle working together for the common good; and

WHEREAS, a man of great wisdom, humor, and gentility, Bill Wood will be greatly missed by his wife, Carol; their son, Zachary, and his family; 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 remarkable Virginian, William Henry Wood; 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 William Henry Wood as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.