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2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 475
Celebrating the life of the Honorable John L. Melnick.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, March 8, 2014

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable John L. Melnick, a community leader and former member of the Virginia House of Delegates who ably represented the residents of the County of Arlington, died on August 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, a native of Arlington County, John “Jack” Melnick inherited a desire to serve the community from his parents, both of whom were active in civic and service organizations; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick graduated from Washington and Lee High School, attended Roanoke College, and earned bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia; after graduation, he practiced law in Arlington, becoming an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and the president of the Arlington County Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, desiring to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Jack Melnick was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1972, where he would represent the residents of the 22nd District for three terms; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick worked to enact important legislation and offered his knowledge and experience to several committees, including Courts of Justice, Militia and Police, and Privileges and Elections; he also served on the Virginia State Crime Commission; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick’s proudest accomplishment was sponsoring what is now known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, which has helped thousands of Virginians and their families recover from the impact of a major crime; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement from public office in 1977, Jack Melnick continued to practice law with his son, Paul, at their firm, Melnick & Melnick, PLC, in Falls Church; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick served the community as a longtime member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick cultivated his love of travel as the first president of the Arlington Sister City Association, building cultural partnerships with Reims, France, and Aachen, Germany; he also enjoyed traveling with his family throughout the United States and the world; and

WHEREAS, Jack Melnick enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Clarendon United Methodist Church, where he offered guidance and leadership as a trustee for many years; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, Jack Melnick served the community and the Commonwealth with dedication and distinction; and

WHEREAS, a loving husband and father, Jack Melnick will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his wife of more than 50 years, Marjorie; children, John II, Paul, Kathleen, and Laura, and their families; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 the Honorable John L. Melnick, former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and a deeply respected member of the Arlington community; 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 the Honorable John L. Melnick as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.