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2015 SESSION

15101157D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 855
Offered February 17, 2015
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.
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Patrons-- Rust, Adams, Albo, Anderson, Austin, BaCote, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Berg, Bloxom, Bulova, Byron, Campbell, Carr, Cline, Cole, Cox, Davis, DeSteph, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Filler-Corn, Fowler, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Habeeb, Head, Helsel, Herring, Hester, Hodges, Hope, Howell, Hugo, Ingram, James, Joannou, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Krupicka, Landes, LaRock, Leftwich, LeMunyon, Lindsey, Lingamfelter, Lopez, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Mason, Massie, McClellan, McQuinn, Miller, Minchew, Morefield, Morris, Morrissey, Murphy, O'Bannon, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Pillion, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Preston, Ramadan, Ransone, Rasoul, Robinson, Rush, Scott, Sickles, Simon, Spruill, Stolle, Sullivan, Surovell, Taylor, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright, Yancey and Yost; Senators: Barker, Carrico, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Hanger, Howell, Lewis, Marsden, Miller, Norment, Obenshain, Puller, Ruff, Saslaw, Wagner and Watkins
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., who ably represented the residents of Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates for more than 40 years and helped Northern Virginia thrive and grow, died on September 20, 2014, of West Nile Viral Meningitis; and

WHEREAS, a native of Washington, D.C., Vincent “Vince” F. Callahan graduated from St. John’s College High School, then proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and a member of the United States Coast Guard, subsequently earning a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University; and

WHEREAS, after completing his education, Vince Callahan pursued employment with the family business, Callahan Publishing, retiring as the head of the company in 2000; and

WHEREAS, following his move to Virginia, Vince Callahan became active in civic affairs and, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1967; he most recently represented the 34th District, which included McLean, Great Falls, Tysons Corner, and parts of Herndon and Vienna; and

WHEREAS, Vince Callahan left an indelible mark on the Northern Virginia Region, promoting the growth of George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College and supporting the creation of the Dulles Toll Road and expansion of the Washington Metrorail system; and

WHEREAS, Vince Callahan supported many other important pieces of legislation and served on several committees; he then became the first Republican in modern history to chair the Appropriations Committee, a position he held for nearly a decade; and

WHEREAS, Vince Callahan was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Board of Trustees of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation for 16 years, capably leading the agency for four years as cochair from 2004 to 2008, a period which encompassed the nation’s 400th anniversary, commemorating the founding of Jamestown in 1607 as America’s first permanent English settlement, culminating in the visit by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and President George W. Bush to Virginia in May 2007; and

WHEREAS, Vince Callahan ultimately received the highest recognition from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees, when he was elected to the esteemed position of chairman emeritus; and

WHEREAS, much admired for his wisdom, his wit, and his pragmatism, Vince Callahan fostered bipartisan cooperation and respect in the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, retiring as the second-most senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 2008, Vince Callahan was a man of great integrity who diligently served the residents of Northern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth with dedication and distinction; and

WHEREAS, Vince Callahan will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, 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 Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., a deeply respected public servant who dedicated his life to enhancing the communities of Northern Virginia; 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 Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his life and service to the Virginia House of Delegates and the Commonwealth.