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2014 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 158
Commending Robert E. Simon, Jr.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 27, 2014
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 3, 2014
 

WHEREAS, Robert E. Simon, Jr., the founder of Reston, celebrates his 100th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his visionary community in 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of New York City, Robert Simon was born on April 10, 1914; he was influenced by the beauty of the city’s Central Park when he later began developing the concept of a mixed-use, planned town where people could live, work, and play without leaving the community; and

WHEREAS, Robert Simon earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and served his country in the United States Army during World War II; after his honorable military service, he returned home and managed his family’s real estate company; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, Robert Simon sold one of his family’s holdings, Carnegie Hall, to purchase 6,750 acres of land in Fairfax County, and in December 1964, his dream was realized when the first residents came to live in the new community of Reston; and

WHEREAS, Reston was the first modern planned community of its kind in the United States, offering residences, commercial areas, shopping, recreation, and natural spaces all conveniently located within walking distance of each other; and

WHEREAS, today, over 60,000 Reston residents enjoy Robert Simon’s vision for a new type of town that offers a high quality of life in a thriving metropolitan center and incorporates beautiful, natural open spaces; and

WHEREAS, designed by world-renowned architects and planners, Reston became a model for similar communities around the world; Robert Simon’s founding principles of “smart growth,” “aging in place,” “green cities,” and “new urbanism” are widely admired and studied at universities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, Robert Simon has received many awards and accolades for his achievements in developing a revolutionary type of community, including the Planning Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP); and

WHEREAS, in 2002, Reston earned the National Planning Landmark Award from the AICP, joining other iconic features of the American landscape, such as New York City’s Central Park, Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan of the District of Columbia, and the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas; and

WHEREAS, the community of Reston will celebrate Robert Simon’s 100th birthday and the community’s 50th anniversary on April 5, 2014, Founder’s Day, with the premiere of The Reston Story and with other events throughout the year; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Robert E. Simon, Jr., on the occasion of his 100th birthday and Reston’s 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Robert E. Simon, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his visionary leadership and many contributions to the Commonwealth.