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2018 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 223
Commending Donald Hays Hopson.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, March 7, 2018
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 8, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Donald Hays Hopson, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a respected veterinarian, has served the residents of the Shenandoah Valley and Commonwealth for many years; and

WHEREAS, a native of Rankin County, Mississippi, Donald “Don” Hopson grew up on his family’s farm, gaining a lifelong appreciation for the value of hard work and responsibility; while attending high school, he helped support his family by driving one of the school buses; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Don Hopson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina for training; he served in combat in Vietnam for 13 months, earning two Purple Heart medals; and

WHEREAS, after his service during the Vietnam War, Don Hopson was detailed as a Marine Security Guard and worked on plain-clothes protective details for the United States Department of State for one year; and

WHEREAS, Don Hopson completed his military service as a Marine Security Guard at the United States Embassy in Oslo, Norway, then returned to the United States to continue his education at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Don Hopson later enrolled at the University of Maryland and finished his degree in veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia; in 1979, he settled in the Commonwealth, where he and his wife raised their four children; and

WHEREAS, Don Hopson practiced as a large animal veterinarian from 1979 to 2006; emphasizing good customer service, he relished the opportunity to care for animals and help local farmers; and

WHEREAS, for more than a decade, Don Hopson has served the Shenandoah Valley community as a Virginia Regional State Veterinarian for the Division of Animal and Food Industry Services in the Office of Veterinary Services; and

WHEREAS, Don Hopson has also supported the community as a member of the West Rockingham Ruritan Club since 1982, holding multiple leadership positions, including vice president and president; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Donald Hays Hopson, a veterinarian and a patriotic member of the Shenandoah Valley community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donald Hays Hopson as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his legacy of community service.