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2020 SESSION

20101222D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 198
Offered February 27, 2020
Celebrating the life of Captain Frank Richard Whalen, USN, Ret.
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Patrons-- DeSteph, Cosgrove and Spruill; Delegate: Heretick
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WHEREAS, Captain Frank Richard Whalen, USN, Ret., distinguished veteran of the United States Navy, masterful maritime artist, and tireless advocate of youth soccer in Hampton Roads, passed away on August 13, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Frank “Dick” Whalen, born in Hawaii days before the attack on Pearl Harbor and the son of a career naval officer, was committed to a life of service from a young age; he became an Eagle Scout in high school and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Dick Whalen served in the United States Navy for 30 years, serving on six ships in the Atlantic Fleet, commanding the USS Thomas C. Hart, and serving as the commissioning commanding officer of the USS Mobile Bay; over his years of service, his decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Meritorious Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, in his final assignment, Dick Whalen served as the commanding officer of the Hampton Roads Naval ROTC consortium, a posting which would prove a precursor to his next career as the first Director of Military Activities at Old Dominion University, a position he held for 19 years; and

WHEREAS, from a young age, Dick Whalen was also a dedicated artist who specialized in highly detailed and realistic maritime portraits; his works of art, which he distributed through his gallery, Seaman’s Eye Marine Art, have been featured on the covers of national magazines and acquisitioned by museums and public and private collectors across the country; and

WHEREAS, Dick Whalen made his mark on the Hampton Roads community as an indefatigable advocate for soccer in the region; he spearheaded the creation of the nonprofit Hampton Roads Soccer Council and its 75-acre sports complex and founded the North American Sand Soccer Championships, today the largest tournament of its kind in the world; for these efforts, he was inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame and named as a Tourism Ambassador for Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, Dick Whalen will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 55 years, Marti; his children, Scott, Todd, and Matthew; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Captain Frank Richard Whalen, USN, Ret., honorable veteran of the United States Navy, inspiring artist, and unwavering supporter of the Hampton Roads soccer community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain Frank Richard Whalen, USN, Ret., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.