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2023 SESSION

23105827D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 663
Offered February 13, 2023
Celebrating the life of Michael John Wassmer.
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Patron-- VanValkenburg
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WHEREAS, Michael John Wassmer, a successful business executive, accomplished athlete, and outstanding father, husband, son, brother, and friend, died on June 16, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer was born to Larry and Betty Wassmer in Pequannock, New Jersey, and attended Vernon High School, where he was an outstanding student and a multisport athlete, who excelled in football, track, and wrestling; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer was a first-generation college student, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Lafayette College, where he was a walk-on to the football team; he subsequently earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Duke University; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer felt a strong, personal connection with people and empathized with their struggles to build stronger financial lives; in 1994, he was personally hired at Capital One by its founder, chair, and chief executive officer, Richard Fairbank, as one of the company’s first business analysts; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer spent his entire 28-year career at Capital One in increasingly broad, complex, and impactful roles, including head of the United Kingdom Card business, Mainstreet Card business, and Branded Card business before becoming president of Card in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer was passionate about the Richmond community and served as Capital One’s Central Virginia Market president, in which capacity he was the driving force behind the company’s philanthropy, volunteerism, and 1717 Innovation Center; he also served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children, The Faison Center, Virginia Learns, and Full Circle Grief Center; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer was passionate about fitness and sports, constantly challenging himself to achieve new heights; he enjoyed competing in CrossFit and Ironman competitions and recently achieved his longtime goal of running the Boston Marathon; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer was most proud of his three children and spent countless hours at swim meets and cheerleading events and along with his wife, Andrea, instilled in them great values and an appreciation for the importance of striving to make a difference in the broader world; and

WHEREAS, Michael Wassmer will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 21 years, Andrea; their children, Zach, Owen, and Allie; his mother, Betty; his colleagues at Capital One; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Michael John Wassmer, whose intelligence, determination, passion for the Richmond community, and love for his family were an inspiration to all who knew him; 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 Michael John Wassmer as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.