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2020 SESSION
20101330DWHEREAS, George Dragas, Jr., prolific home developer and benevolent member of the Hampton Roads community, died on March 21, 2019; and
WHEREAS, born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and raised in Norfolk, George Dragas graduated from Matthew Fontaine Maury High School before enlisting in the United States Army and serving in West Germany; and
WHEREAS, after his military service, George Dragas attended the Norfolk Division of The College of William & Mary, now known as Old Dominion University, and graduated with a degree in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and
WHEREAS, George Dragas founded a mortgage lending company, Dragas Mortgage, in 1968; this company quickly expanded into home development and real estate brokering and grew into the Dragas Companies, which has since built, sold, and financed over 8,000 quality homes in Hampton Roads; and
WHEREAS, for its longevity and success, the Dragas Companies has received numerous accolades and is recognized today as one of the leading development companies in the nation; and
WHEREAS, being a recipient of an excellent public education, George Dragas devoted considerable time and resources to his alma mater, Old Dominion University; he was twice appointed to the university’s Board of Visitors and was elected Rector of the Board in 1990; and
WHEREAS, the university’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Public Policy and Dragas Hall, formerly the International Education Center, are a testament to George Dragas’ outsized influence at Old Dominion University; and
WHEREAS, for his support through the years, Old Dominion University bestowed upon George Dragas the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1993 and the University Medal in 1995, its highest honor; and
WHEREAS, George Dragas was committed to promoting business throughout Hampton Roads, serving as founding director of Virginia Beach Vision, director of the Tidewater Builders Association, and director of the Norfolk Metropolitan Board of Crestar Bank; and
WHEREAS, as director of the Contemporary Art Center, now known as the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art; founder and president of the Cape Henry Racquet Club; and generous supporter of many arts, educational, and charitable organizations, George Dragas demonstrated a steadfast desire to improve the quality of life in Hampton Roads; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the Dragas family made a gift to the Cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake to combat family homelessness in the region; it was an extraordinary gesture, one that accorded with a life guided by compassion and concern for others; and
WHEREAS, George Dragas will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of 59 years, Grace; his daughters, Anita, Helen, Mary, and Jennifer, and their families; and numerous other families and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of George Dragas, Jr., distinguished businessman, noted philanthropist, and cherished member of the Hampton Roads community; 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 George Dragas, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.