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2013 SESSION

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 604 Celebrating the life of the Honorable Joseph William O'Brien, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 11, 2013 Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2013

 

WHEREAS, Joseph William O’Brien, Jr., a prominent member of the House of Delegates from 1974 to 1991, died on November 9, 2012; and

WHEREAS, born in Parsons, Kansas, on April 20, 1929, Joseph “Billy” O’Brien became a star athlete at Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, and received a football scholarship to the University of North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Billy O’Brien received a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and became a dedicated teacher in Norfolk County, which became the City of Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, Billy O’Brien excelled at both shaping the minds and the work ethic of his students and athletes and became a legendary football coach of the Great Bridge High School Wildcats; and

WHEREAS, prior to serving in the House of Delegates, Billy O’Brien proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, reaching the rank of captain; and

WHEREAS, Billy O’Brien continued his dedication to the Commonwealth’s educational system by serving as chair of the Education Committee; he became known as the “Father of the Virginia Lottery” and championed the creation of state university license plates; and

WHEREAS, Billy O’Brien was known to be a friend to all in the House of Delegates, often reaching across the aisle to help new members or to put aside partisan differences to advance legislation for the common good of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man and friend, Billy O’Brien will be remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Ann; his daughter, Marlene Castellow, and her husband, Dale, and their children; his son, Joseph William O’Brien III, and his wife, Kristina; his sister, Eileen Chase; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 educator and lawmaker, the Honorable Joseph William O’Brien, Jr.; 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 Joseph William O’Brien, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.