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2016 SESSION

16106201D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 248
Offered March 10, 2016
Commending James K. Spore.
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Patrons-- Villanueva, Davis, Knight, Lindsey, Miyares, Stolle and Taylor
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WHEREAS, James K. Spore, who served with great effectiveness and distinction as city manager of Virginia Beach since 1991 and helped strengthen and improve the city in many ways, retired on January 1, 2016; and

WHEREAS, James “Jim” K. Spore’s many accomplishments as city manager of Virginia Beach include infrastructure and transportation improvements, retail and municipal developments, and placing the city on a strong financial footing; and

WHEREAS, as city manager, Jim Spore led the Lake Gaston water supply project, which established a reliable supply of drinking water for Virginia Beach; the city built the Virginia Beach Convention Center and developed Town Center and Princess Anne Commons, enhancing the quality of life for the local community; and

WHEREAS, during Jim Spore’s tenure, dozens of transportation projects in Virginia Beach have been completed, including the Lesner Bridge replacement; the City of Virginia Beach enjoys an AAA bond rating from the three leading financial rating agencies, and the area boasts top-quality libraries, parks, and recreation centers; and

WHEREAS, Jim Spore attributes Virginia Beach’s great strides forward to an educated, engaged, and forward-looking citizenry, a city council that established a vision for Virginia Beach and set specific goals for the community, and the commitment and talents of a highly dedicated professional staff; and

WHEREAS, under Jim Spore’s leadership, economic development increased and tourism became an even stronger contributor to the economy of Virginia Beach; the city also enjoys the lowest tax burden among the major cities in Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, Jim Spore received many awards and accolades during his career, including the 2010 International City Manager’s Association Award for Career Excellence in Honor of Mark E. Keane from the International City/County Management Association; and

WHEREAS, Jim Spore, who earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Illinois and a second master’s degree from the University of Colorado, also fostered regional cooperation during his time as manager of the City of Virginia Beach and was a member of three regional planning and development agencies; and

WHEREAS, with a steady, low-key approach and a calm, deliberate, and incisive leadership style, Jim Spore helped to successfully harness the energy of a vibrant growing city, moving Virginia Beach forward in many areas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That James K. Spore, a successful and highly admired manager of Virginia Beach for 24 years, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement and for his many accomplishments; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to James K. Spore as an expression of the House of Delegates’ appreciation and respect for his many years of service to the people of Virginia Beach.