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2015 SESSION
WHEREAS, Sam Kornblau, a respected businessman and philanthropist who dedicated his life to strengthening the Richmond community by creating and promoting safe, affordable housing options, died on May 14, 2014; and
WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Sam Kornblau grew up in Church Hill and graduated from John Marshall High School, then attended Lynchburg College and Dartmouth College; and
WHEREAS, Sam Kornblau joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to his country during World War II as a member of the United States Navy; he returned to military service as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, after beginning his professional career with a Richmond real estate agency, Sam Kornblau formed Grigg and Kornblau, which focused on building single-family houses in the West End until 1969; and
WHEREAS, under Sam Kornblau’s leadership, the company grew to become Realty Industries, Inc., one of the largest residential and commercial construction companies in Richmond, with offices throughout the Commonwealth and North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Sam Kornblau facilitated a merger between Realty Industries, Inc., and Old Dominion Real Estate Investment Trust to create United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., which is now one of the nation’s largest publicly traded real estate trusts; and
WHEREAS, Sam Kornblau also founded SAMCO Development Corporation and was a founding member of Markel Eagle Partners; he was highly respected in the industry and was frequently sought out for his wisdom and leadership on local development projects; and
WHEREAS, working to enhance the quality of life of all Virginians, Sam Kornblau served as commissioner, vice chair, and chair of the Virginia Housing Development Authority, and he was a member and leader of numerous civic, service, and professional organizations in the Richmond area; and
WHEREAS, a trusted mentor who was admired for his wealth of expertise on real estate, construction, housing, and business, Sam Kornblau helped establish the Kornblau Institute at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, where the Kornblau Real Estate Program is named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, as a founding member of Congregation Or Atid, Sam Kornblau was proud of his Jewish faith and heritage; he funded the religious school at Or Atid, which also bears his name; and
WHEREAS, Sam Kornblau will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 66 years, Helen; children, Zelda, Barry, and Bryan, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; 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 Sam Kornblau, a distinguished business leader, philanthropist, and pillar of the Richmond 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 Sam Kornblau as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.