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2013 SESSION

13101781D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 841
Offered February 7, 2013
Celebrating the life of James Franklin Hope, Sr.
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Patron-- Jones
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WHEREAS, James Franklin Hope, Sr., the first mayor of the consolidated City of Suffolk, died on October 10, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a native of Ohio, James Hope graduated from the University of Toledo and proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Navy before settling in Suffolk, where he would take an active role in civic and community affairs; and

WHEREAS, a civil engineer, James Hope headed the contracting firm of Reid and Hope, Inc., and helped build The Rotunda in downtown Norfolk, the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, and parts of Norfolk Naval Station and Old Dominion University; he also assisted with the location selection and design of the Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex in Suffolk; and

WHEREAS, James Hope took part in community affairs through his membership in Oxford United Methodist Church, the local Lions Club, and American Legion Post 57; and

WHEREAS, James Hope was elected to the Suffolk City Council in 1966 and played a pivotal role in the development of present-day Suffolk as the city consolidated with the County of Nansemond and Towns of Holland and Whaleyville in 1974; and

WHEREAS, as the mayor of the “old” City of Suffolk, James Hope’s influential efforts helped lead to the passing of the referendum that created the “new” City of Suffolk; and

WHEREAS, selected by the newly combined city council as the first mayor of the consolidated city, James Hope unified residents while preserving the historical aspects of downtown Suffolk and the scenic rural environment of Nansemond County; and

WHEREAS, known for his commitment to the city and ability to bring together its citizens, James Hope laid the foundation for the consolidated city to grow and develop, providing important services and forging a common vision for residents; and

WHEREAS, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, James Hope was honored by the Suffolk Rotary Club for his many outstanding contributions to life in the City of Suffolk with its First Citizen Award; and

WHEREAS, a visionary statesman, James Hope leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to the common good that others may strive to emulate; and

WHEREAS, James Hope leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 68 years, Virginia Mount Joy Hope; his children, Virginia Lee Hope and James F. Hope, Jr., and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 an admired public servant, James Franklin Hope, Sr.; 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 James Franklin Hope, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.