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2016 SESSION

16105562D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 168
Offered February 19, 2016
Celebrating the life of Edward E. Brickell, Jr.
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Patrons-- Wagner, Alexander, Cosgrove and DeSteph; Delegates: Davis, Knight, Lindsey, Spruill and Stolle
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WHEREAS, Edward E. Brickell, Jr., of Virginia Beach, a proud veteran of World War II, a distinguished educator and public school superintendent who served as rector of The College of William and Mary and later became president of Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a devoted husband and father, died on June 12, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Edward E. “Ed” Brickell was born in South Norfolk and was a veteran of World War II; he served in the United States Army Air Corps as a bombardier on B-24 aircraft, flying over the Aleutian Islands; and

WHEREAS, after his military service was over, Ed Brickell earned a bachelor’s degree from The College of William and Mary, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; he later earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a doctoral degree from The College of William and Mary; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong learner and voracious reader, Ed Brickell began his career in education in the early 1950s at South Norfolk High School, now known as Oscar F. Smith High School; he started as a teacher and baseball coach and soon rose through the ranks, becoming assistant principal and then taking the helm as principal in 1959; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brickell eventually became superintendent of the South Norfolk public schools and then was appointed the first superintendent of schools in Franklin; in the mid-1960s, Ed Brickell returned to his alma mater as special assistant to the president of The College of William and Mary; and

WHEREAS, from 1968 until 1987, Ed Brickell was superintendent of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, laying a strong foundation for the rapidly growing school system and helping it earn a reputation as one of the best school systems in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brickell’s passion for education and learning included serving on the Board of Visitors of The College of William and Mary from 1976 to 1984; he was rector from 1978 to 1982, and, in honor of his many valued contributions, the college awarded him an honorary degree in 1998; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, Ed Brickell became president of Eastern Virginia Medical School and led the school until 2000; at the time of his death, he was president emeritus of the medical school, and in honor of his service and his unparalleled passion for education, the school named its library after him; and

WHEREAS, in his later years, Ed Brickell taught English and education classes at Virginia Wesleyan University and Regent University; he was an avid New York Yankees fan, and the baseball complex at Oscar F. Smith High School is named in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brickell received numerous accolades and awards for his many valued contributions to education and the community, including two First Citizen Awards from the cities of South Norfolk and Virginia Beach; he was especially proud of being awarded honorary life memberships in three Hampton Roads-area sports clubs; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brickell, who touched the lives of countless students and educators and contributed to the betterment of his community and the Commonwealth in many ways, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Nancy; children, Sean and Heidi, and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Edward E. Brickell, Jr., of Virginia Beach, an outstanding educator, public school superintendent, and leader in higher education; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edward E. Brickell, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.