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1996 SESSION

961778127
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 294
Offered January 26, 1996
On the death of Judge John D. Gray.
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Patrons-- Behm, Abbitt, Albo, Almand, Bloxom, Brickley, Bryant, Callahan, Cantor, Christian, Clement, Connally, Councill, Cranwell, Crittenden, Croshaw, Crouch, Darner, Davies, DeBoer, Deeds, Diamonstein, Dickinson, Drake, Forbes, Guest, Hall, Hamilton, Harris, Heilig, Howell, Johnson, Katzen, Keating, McClure, McDonnell, Moore, Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Nelms, Phillips, Plum, Purkey, Putney, Reid, Reynolds, Rhodes, Shuler, Spruill, Tata, Thomas, Van Yahres, Wardrup, Watkins, Weatherholtz and Wilkins; Senators: Benedetti, Chichester, Holland, Lambert, Marye, Maxwell, Newman, Waddell and Williams
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, Judge John D. Gray, a former member of the House of Delegates and a Hampton Circuit Court judge for 12 years, died on December 10, 1995; and

WHEREAS, John Gray served in the Army occupation forces in Japan following World War II, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia Law School; and

WHEREAS, John Gray began his long political career in the mid-1950s, serving as city attorney for the City of Hampton from 1954 to 1963; and

WHEREAS, elected to the House of Delegates in 1965, John Gray served the citizens of the 50th House District for eight terms before leaving the General Assembly in 1982; and

WHEREAS, while a member of the House of Delegates, John Gray served on the Courts of Justice, Health, Welfare and Institutions, and Rules Committees and served as chairman of the Privileges and Elections Committee; and

WHEREAS, John Gray was instrumental in the establishment of separate corrections and welfare departments within Virginia's state government; and

WHEREAS, shortly after leaving the legislature, John Gray was appointed to a newly created judgeship in the Hampton Circuit Court, where he served with great distinction for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, a man widely known for his keen intellect, tempered by a legendary sense of humor, Judge John Gray leaves a lasting legacy of distinguished service to the citizens of Hampton and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of a singularly dedicated, distinguished, and accomplished Virginian, Judge John D. Gray; 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 Judge John D. Gray as an expression of the General Assembly's deepest condolences and great respect for his memory.