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2013 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 751
Celebrating the life of David Paul Karnes.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 25, 2013
Agreed to by the Senate, January 31, 2013

 

WHEREAS, David Paul Karnes, the former mayor of Hopewell who served his hometown with great enthusiasm and dedication for decades, died on October 6, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a native of Hopewell, David “Paul” Karnes devoted countless hours over the course of his life to meaningful public service and a wide array of civic and community organizations to enhance the lives of his fellow residents; and

WHEREAS, a longtime member of the Hopewell Kiwanis Club, Paul Karnes served as its president and was twice named Kiwanian of the Year; he generously gave of his time and talents to the Hopewell Jaycees as a member and president and was named its Outstanding Young Man in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Paul Karnes was also a life member of the Virginia Jaycees and Junior Chamber International; and

WHEREAS, Paul Karnes encouraged emergency and disaster preparedness and assistance as chair of the Hopewell-Prince George Chapter of the American Red Cross, serving on its board and executive committee from 1968 to 1986, as the city bloodmobile chair and as a reliable blood donor; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to his beloved Hopewell, Paul Karnes ran for and was elected to the Hopewell City Council in 1988, representing Ward #4; and

WHEREAS, Paul Karnes’ effectiveness as a leader and commitment to the city and its inhabitants won him re-election in 1992, 1996, and 2000 and terms as vice mayor (1988 - 1990) and mayor (1992 - 1994); and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure on the city council, Paul Karnes worked with fellow council members, local government officials, and others to ensure the efficient operation of services for local residents while also planning for the city’s future growth and development; and

WHEREAS, Paul Karnes also served on the boards of the Historic Hopewell Foundation, John Randolph Foundation, and Richard Bland College Foundation; he was founding member of the Hopewell Twinning Association and a member of the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep faith, Paul Karnes enjoyed fellowship and worship at First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the board of trustees; and

WHEREAS, today, Hopewell residents continue to reap the benefits of Paul Karnes’ devoted labor on their behalf while the memory of his dedicated and cheerful service inspires a rising generation of local leaders; and

WHEREAS, Paul Karnes will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Judith; numerous other family members and friends; and the residents of Hopewell; 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 dedicated public servant and staunch advocate for Hopewell and its residents, David Paul Karnes; 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 Paul Karnes as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.