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2015 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 236
Celebrating the life of James Banks Brown, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2015

 

WHEREAS, James Banks Brown, Jr., an outstanding and pioneering public servant who was the former chair of the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors and the Isle of Wight County School Board, a professional career employee of the United States Navy in Hampton Roads, and a devoted husband and father, died on January 17, 2015; and

WHEREAS, James Brown, who was known as Jimmie, was a native of Carrollton; after graduating from Isle of Wight Training School and Howard University, he was hired in 1962 as a naval architect at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Design Division in Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, Jimmie Brown joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center Combatant Craft Department, beginning a distinguished career at the technical support center, which is the primary source for watercraft design and system engineering; and

WHEREAS, in his work at the Combatant Craft Department, Jimmie Brown helped recruit engineers from historically black colleges and universities; he also was the author of five scientific papers and was promoted many times, retiring in 2001; and

WHEREAS, giving back to his community was central to Jimmie Brown’s life; he was a member of the Isle of Wight County School Board for 30 years and became the first black person to be elected chair, a position he held for three terms; and

WHEREAS, Jimmie Brown also served the people of Isle of Wight County as a member of the board of supervisors; his leadership and advice were well-regarded and he also served as vice chair and chair of the board of supervisors; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his dedication and many contributions to the people of Isle of Wight County, Jimmie Brown was named an outstanding citizen of Isle of Wight County for his public service and citizenship, the only black person to be so honored; and

WHEREAS, Jimmie Brown was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which named him its Citizen of the Year and also honored him as Omega Man of the Year; additionally, he was a member of Main Street Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Jimmie Brown will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by Kaye, his wife of 53 years; his children, Monica and James III, and their families; and by many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Banks Brown, Jr., an outstanding and pioneering public servant who was the former chair of the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors and the Isle of Wight County School Board, a professional career employee of the United States Navy in Hampton Roads, and a devoted husband and father; 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 James Banks Brown, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.