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2016 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 200
Commending William A. Patton.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2016
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2016
 

WHEREAS, William A. Patton, an outstanding community leader and volunteer, has made many valued contributions to Petersburg throughout his career and, in retirement, has maintained his commitment to his city and its unique history; and

WHEREAS, William Patton was reared in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and began his career as a federal bank examiner; he and his wife, Virginia, settled in Petersburg in 1956, and he continued in the banking industry, eventually retiring as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Virginia First Savings Bank; and

WHEREAS, an active volunteer and leader in the community, William Patton has belonged to many civic and community organizations and has made numerous contributions to the betterment of Petersburg; he was president of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and the Petersburg Industrial Authority; and

WHEREAS, as president and chair of the local YMCA, he spearheaded a capital campaign to construct a new facility, and in honor of his many contributions, the William A. Patton Fitness Center addition was named for him; and

WHEREAS, William Patton was the first chair of Citizens for Progress, a biracial association that promoted community service for all residents of the Petersburg area, and served in leadership positions in other community organizations; and

WHEREAS, historic preservation has been a key focus of William Patton’s civic work; before he retired, he helped to rehabilitate row houses on two streets in Petersburg, and more recently he has initiated other historic preservation projects; and

WHEREAS, William Patton restored Southside Station in Petersburg and reopened it as a market; his restoration of historic buildings on Bollingbrook Street led to more privately funded renovation efforts in the city; and

WHEREAS, other community improvement projects that William Patton supported include the preservation of the Peter Jones Trading Station site, the improvements to the Washington Street entrance to the City of Petersburg, and the repair of a historic building that suffered tornado damage in 1993; and

WHEREAS, William Patton founded and was president of the Petersburg Foundation, and he was involved in the acquisition of land and subsequent establishment of a nature park along the Appomattox River, which was named Patton Park in his honor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend William A. Patton for his many contributions to Petersburg in the last 60 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William A. Patton as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his dedication to the betterment of Petersburg.