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2011 SESSION

11100758D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 571
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 10, 2011
Celebrating the life of Owen Bradford Pickett.
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Patron—Knight, Abbitt, Abbott, Albo, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, R.P., Bell, R.B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Carrico, Cleaveland, Cline, Cole, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Filler-Corn, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Habeeb, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Kory, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Morrissey, Nutter, O’Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Robinson, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Surovell, Tata, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Wilt, and Wright; Senators: Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, J.C., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, and Whipple
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WHEREAS, Owen Bradford Pickett of Virginia Beach, a beloved member of the House of Delegates from 1972 to 1986 and member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001, died on October 27, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Richmond, Owen Pickett was born on August 31, 1930, to the late Mary and Robert Pickett and was the youngest of three siblings; after the early death of his father, Owen Pickett entered the workforce at a young age to help his family; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated and hard-working student, Owen Pickett earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and a law degree from the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Owen Pickett was a member of the Virginia State and District of Columbia Bars and became a certified public accountant in 1955; he was a founder and principal partner of several Virginia Beach law firms where he was respected and admired for his knowledge of the law; and

WHEREAS, desirous to make a difference in the Commonwealth, Owen Pickett became involved in state politics and served in the House of Delegates from 1972 to 1986, representing part of the City of Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, an able lawmaker and influential member, Delegate Pickett served with distinction on the Privileges and Elections; Appropriations; Health, Welfare and Institutions; Chesapeake and Its Tributaries; Finance; and Claims Committees; and

WHEREAS, admired on both sides of the aisle for his courtly manner and practical viewpoint, Delegate Pickett was a strong supporter of public and higher education in the Commonwealth in addition to supporting the military and military families in the Hampton Roads area; and

WHEREAS, after serving his constituents in Virginia Beach with great integrity and fairness, Delegate Pickett ran for Congress and served the Second Congressional District from 1987 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, Representative Pickett was an influential member of the House Armed Services Committee where he continued his work for a strong military and improved quality of life for military personnel and their families; and

WHEREAS, Representative Pickett generously shared his insights and experience with others even after his retirement from Congress; he remained dedicated to serving the Commonwealth and in August of 2010 accepted the position of cochair of the Commonwealth’s Commission on Military and National Security Facilities; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his many other duties, Owen Pickett generously gave of his time and talents in the community; he was the founder of the Virginia Beach Meals on Wheels, member of the board of directors of the Hampton Roads Partnership, and past president of the Hampton Roads Navy League; and

WHEREAS, Owen Pickett was a Master Mason in Lynnhaven Lodge No. 220 and affiliated with Norfolk Scottish Rite bodies as a 33rd degree Mason; he also helped establish the First Landing Foundation exhibits at Fort Story; and

WHEREAS, Owen Pickett spent much of the past decade devoted to the development of the “Pendleton Community” in Caroline County, which will help support the housing needs of Virginians and increase the county’s property tax base; and

WHEREAS, a true public servant, Owen Pickett dedicated his long and remarkably productive life to the service of his family, community, beloved Commonwealth, and nation; and

WHEREAS, Owen Pickett will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife, Sybil; children, Laura Pereira, Karen Pontes, and Mary MacLeod, and their families; his colleagues on both sides of the aisle; and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a revered statesman of the Commonwealth, Owen Bradford Pickett; 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 Owen Bradford Pickett as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.