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2014 SESSION

14102323D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 197
Offered January 22, 2014
Recognizing the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney, longest-serving member of the Virginia General Assembly.
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Patrons-- Byron, Adams, Albo, Anderson, Austin, BaCote, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Berg, Brink, Bulova, Campbell, Carr, Chafin, Cline, Cole, Comstock, Cox, Dance, Davis, DeSteph, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Filler-Corn, Fowler, Futrell, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Habeeb, Head, Helsel, Herring, Hester, Hodges, Hope, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Ingram, James, Joannou, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Krupicka, Landes, LaRock, Leftwich, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lopez, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Mason, Massie, McClellan, McQuinn, Miller, Minchew, Morefield, Morris, Morrissey, O'Bannon, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Ramadan, Ransone, Rasoul, Robinson, Rush, Rust, Scott, Sickles, Simon, Spruill, Stolle, Surovell, Taylor, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright, Yancey and Yost; Senators: Alexander, Barker, Black, Carrico, Colgan, Cosgrove, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Hanger, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Vogel, Wagner and Watkins
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney was born on June 27, 1928, in Big Island in Bedford County, graduated from M.E. High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Washington and Lee University, where he was a baseball star and where his classmates included Senator John W. Warner, Roger Mudd, Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson, and Thomas Wolfe; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney rendered honorable and valiant service to his country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954; he then started his own law practice in Bedford County, and for over 50 years he gave expert legal advice and service to his clients; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, he stood for elected office for the first time, running successfully for the Virginia House of Delegates; during that time, “the price of gas was 31 cents per gallon; first-class postage stamps sold for 4 cents; the Dow Jones hit a high of 734; and 183 million people made the United States home”; and

WHEREAS, after refusing to sign a loyalty oath to his party in good conscience, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney ran for reelection in 1967 and won as an independent, and he remained an independent throughout the rest of his political career; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney has witnessed many changes in his more than 50-year career as a state legislator and has played a pivotal role in the passage of numerous important legislative initiatives to benefit the people of Virginia; he was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia Tuition Grant Program, encouraged the use of a six-year capital outlay planning process to help maintain the Commonwealth’s coveted Triple A credit rating, and, as the guardian of the Virginia Retirement System, he championed pension reform in the 1990s; and

WHEREAS, he has served the General Assembly diligently and selflessly as a member of several committees, where he shared his vast knowledge of state government, efficient and effective state government, fiscal stewardship, and insight into the legislative process; he served as a member of the House Committees on Rules and on Privileges and Elections, as chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, and on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission; the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney led the Virginia House of Delegates with vision and a calm steady hand as Acting Speaker from June 2002 to January 2003; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney has shared himself with the citizens of the 19th House District, serving them and the Commonwealth with distinction and unwavering commitment for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, on April 3, 2013, after serving 26 consecutive terms in the Virginia House of Delegates, a number currently unmatched by any of his legislative counterparts around the country, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney announced his retirement in a stirring floor statement to his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, on August 20, 2013, at Richmond CenterStage, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney was honored by nine Virginia Governors on the occasion of his retirement after 52 years of distinguished service to the Commonwealth as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, and he was characterized at the illustrious gathering as “a legislator from central casting, a melding of courtesy, judgment, and principle”; and

WHEREAS, a visionary leader and man without peer, the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney’s name and deeds highlighting his distinguished service will be recorded in the annals of the Virginia General Assembly, and he will be forever remembered by his colleagues and constituents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney, longest-serving member of the Virginia General Assembly, be recognized on his retirement after more than 50 years of faithful and illustrious service to the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Lacey Edward Putney as an expression of the General Assembly’s adoration and profound appreciation for his extraordinary service and contributions to the people of the 19th House District and the Commonwealth.