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2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 194
Commending the Honorable James C. Godwin.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 24, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, January 30, 2014

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable James C. Godwin, a retired judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, ably served the Commonwealth for almost 51 years; and

WHEREAS, James Godwin graduated from Suffolk High School in 1945 and joined many of the other young men of his generation by serving in the United States Navy during World War II; and

WHEREAS, James Godwin went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon College and a law degree from Washington and Lee University; he then served the community through his successful private practice, Godwin, Godwin & Glasscock; and

WHEREAS, in 1962, James Godwin became one of the youngest judges in the Commonwealth after he was appointed to fill a vacancy in what is now the 5th Judicial Circuit Court; widely respected by his peers, the local bar association expressed unanimous support for James Godwin’s appointment to the court; and

WHEREAS, as the only judge in the circuit for many years, Judge Godwin displayed exceptional dedication, often traveling hundreds of miles in a week to commute between courts in the Counties of Southampton and Isle of Wight and the Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, Judge Godwin further served the community by helping to set up the Nansemond Police Commission and guiding the creation of the city’s police department in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, known for both patience and firmness, Judge Godwin presided with great fairness and wisdom until his retirement in 1992; and

WHEREAS, prior to his judgeship, James Godwin worked to better the area as a member of many civic and service organizations; and

WHEREAS, for over 30 years, James Godwin has played an integral role in supporting the restoration of St. Luke’s Church in Smithfield; James Godwin served on the board of directors as president of Historic St. Luke’s Restoration, Inc., from 1986 to 2002, and he continues to serve as a board member to this day; and

WHEREAS, a highly respected and admired public official, Judge Godwin served the community, the Commonwealth, and the nation with great distinction; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable James C. Godwin for his decades of service to the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable James C. Godwin as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his dedication, wisdom, and integrity.