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2013 SESSION

13100360D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 307
Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 8, 2013
Celebrating the life of Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr.
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Patrons-- Marsh, Deeds, Petersen, Puckett and Stuart; Delegates: Carr, Dance, Hope, James, Plum, Scott, J.M. and Ware, R.L.
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WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., was born November 4, 1936, in Suffolk, and was called home to glory on August 25, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Suffolk in 1957; he earned his bachelor of arts degree in music from Norfolk State University, earned a master of education degree in music from Virginia State University, and a master of divinity degree in theology and doctorate of ministry degree from Virginia Union University; and

WHEREAS, a stellar educator and musician, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., was a public school teacher in the Counties of Sussex, Buckingham, and Fairfax and the Cities of Petersburg and Richmond, and in 2000 he was named Richmond School's Teacher of the Year before he retired in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., grew up in a segregated South during the height of Jim Crow, and he cemented his position in the Civil Rights Movement by leading protests and sit-ins at segregated lunch counters; he was straightforward in his opinions concerning civil rights, education, and employment issues; and he served in several positions within the NAACP, including as President of the Henrico County NAACP and President of the Virginia NAACP State Conference, where he pressed for the restoration of the voting rights of felons; and

WHEREAS, a visionary and inspirational leader whose deep faith in God informed his beliefs and actions, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., was the long-term minister of music at Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond; for 34 years, he also taught conducting, theology, and percussion at the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., founded by the legendary gospel composer and singer, Reverend James Cleveland; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., lifelong crusader for equality, freedom, and justice, was actively involved in the community, including serving as president emeritus of the Henrico Ministers' Fellowship and the Baptist Ministers' Union of Richmond and Vicinity, as former vice president of the clergy division of the Tuckahoe Baptist Association of Virginia, and as former corresponding secretary of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, Inc.; at the time of his death, Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., was the beloved pastor of Hungary Road Baptist Church, where he had served for many years; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., pastor, husband, father, grandfather, community leader, minister of music, and teacher, will be cherished forever by his family and friends, and he leaves a legacy noteworthy for future generations; 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 Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Reverend Dr. Joseph Rayfield Vines, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.