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2011 SPECIAL SESSION I

11200260D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5087
Offered July 29, 2011
Celebrating the life of the Honorable William Carrington Thompson.
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Patrons-- Merricks, Abbott, Armstrong, Janis, Marshall, D.W., Plum and Poindexter; Senators: Ruff and Stanley
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Unanimous consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, the Honorable William Carrington Thompson, a former member of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia who served as a Justice on the Virginia Supreme Court, died on June 11, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of Chatham, Carrington Thompson graduated from Chatham High School; attended Hampden-Sydney College, where he later received an honorary doctorate; earned a law degree from the University of Virginia; and proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Carrington Thompson’s exemplary legal career began in private practice and included service as an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth, Pittsylvania County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney, and later, as the attorney for Pittsylvania County; and

WHEREAS, Carrington Thompson served the Commonwealth with great distinction as a member of the House of Delegates from 1960 to 1967 and as a member of the Senate of Virginia from 1968 to 1971; and

WHEREAS, known and respected for his commitment to his fellow Virginians and knowledge of the law, Carrington Thompson provided influential insight as a member of numerous committees during his tenure and worked diligently to enact important legislation; and

WHEREAS, in 1973 Carrington Thompson was elected by the General Assembly to the 22nd Judicial Circuit, which included the Pittsylvania County Circuit Court, where he presided with great fairness, wisdom, and commitment to justice for all; and

WHEREAS, in 1980 the Virginia General Assembly elected Judge Thompson to the state’s highest court, where he served as a justice until his retirement three years later, writing numerous opinions and hearing a variety of cases; and

WHEREAS, an admired attorney and jurist, Justice Thompson possessed a remarkable legal mind and passionate interest in the law that, coupled with his sincere interest in serving others, led to an extraordinarily distinguished and successful career; and

WHEREAS, an active participant in civic life in his beloved Pittsylvania County, Justice Thompson was a lifelong member of Chatham Baptist Church and enjoyed the fellowship of many friends and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Colbert Thompson, Carrington Thompson will be remembered for his exemplary service and greatly missed by his sons, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; 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 an esteemed lawmaker, jurist, and citizen of the Commonwealth, the Honorable William Carrington Thompson; 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 the Honorable William Carrington Thompson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory and service.