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2022 SESSION

22106672D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 284
Offered February 23, 2022
Commending Christopher E. Piper.
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Patrons-- Adams, D.M., VanValkenburg, Bulova, Keam, Lopez, Roem, Simon and Simonds; Senators: Barker, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Ebbin, Howell, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Spruill, Surovell and Vogel
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WHEREAS, Christopher E. Piper, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections, has provided an invaluable service to Virginians by ensuring free, fair, and secure elections in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Christopher “Chris” E. Piper was appointed Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections in January 2018 by Governor Ralph S. Northam after having served previously in various capacities with the Virginia State Board of Elections; and

WHEREAS, prior to becoming Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections, Chris Piper gained beneficial leadership experience as deputy director of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, inaugural executive director of the Virginia Conflict of Interests and Ethics Advisory Council, and manager of election services with the Virginia State Board of Elections; and

WHEREAS, Chris Piper has maintained several professional affiliations in furtherance of the duties of his post, including service as board member of the National Association of State Election Directors, vice chair of the Electronic Registration Information Center, executive committee member of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board, and member of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force on Elections; and

WHEREAS, as the chief election official in the Commonwealth, Chris Piper oversaw the successful administration of seven statewide elections and numerous local primaries, while fostering the growth and development of the Virginia Department of Elections and managing a budget exceeding $20 million; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of the security and uniformity of the Commonwealth’s elections, Chris Piper spearheaded various initiatives designed to enhance registrar training, advance the utilization of technology, and improve operations and promote inclusivity at the agency, among other objectives; and

WHEREAS, other notable accomplishments of Chris Piper’s tenure included the implementation of the Commonwealth’s first risk-limiting audits and the acquisition of federal grants to improve the agency’s information security structure, which led to the development of the nation’s first minimum security standards for locality access to statewide voter registration databases; and

WHEREAS, Chris Piper guided the Virginia Department of Elections through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking steps to expand voter accessibility without impinging upon the sanctity of our elections; and

WHEREAS, as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections, Chris Piper worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity of the Commonwealth’s elections for the health of our democracy and the benefit of all citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Christopher E. Piper for his noteworthy tenure as the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Christopher E. Piper as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth.