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2020 SESSION

20106694D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 122
Offered February 14, 2020
Celebrating the life of William Griffith Thomas.
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Patrons-- Saslaw, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Chafin, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Hashmi, Howell, Kiggans, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McDougle, McPike, Morrissey, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Surovell and Vogel; Delegates: Adams, L.R., Aird, Avoli, Bagby, Bourne, Brewer, Byron, Carr, Carter, Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Gooditis, Guy, Helmer, Herring, Hurst, Jenkins, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Krizek, Levine, Lopez, McQuinn, Mugler, Mullin, Murphy, Price, Rasoul, Reid, Robinson, Roem, Runion, Scott, Simon, Subramanyam, Sullivan, Tran, Tyler, VanValkenburg, Wampler, Ward, Ware, Watts and Wilt
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WHEREAS, William Griffith Thomas, a respected attorney, influential political advisor, and valued civic leader, died on January 23, 2020; and

WHEREAS, William Thomas graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy, attended Williams College and Richmond College, and earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law; and

WHEREAS, opening his first law practice in Alexandria, William Thomas largely dedicated his career to representing clients before the Virginia General Assembly and other governmental agencies in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a founding partner of Thomas, Kent, Haddock, & Sewell in 1970, which later became Hazel & Thomas, William Thomas joined Reed Smith, LLP, in 1999 when his firm merged with the law partnership, practicing until his retirement in 2018; and

WHEREAS, involved in politics throughout his life, William Thomas was appointed Secretary of the Virginia Democratic Party in 1968 and two years later was elected the party’s chair; he was a close advisor of Governors Charles S. Robb and Gerald L. Baliles and was instrumental to the governors’ success during their campaigns and throughout their terms in office; and

WHEREAS, a concerned and engaged member of the community, William Thomas gave generously of his time and talents to several professional, civic, educational, and corporate organizations including the Uniform Law Commission, Virginia Bar Association, Virginia State University, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and Virginia Electric & Power Company, now known as Dominion Energy; and

WHEREAS, guided by his deep and abiding faith throughout his life, William Thomas was an active member of the Episcopal Church, serving as senior warden and foundation president at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria and as a vestry member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Millers Tavern; and

WHEREAS, William Thomas will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 59 years, Suzanne; his children, William III, Alexander, and Margaret, and their families; and numerous 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 William Griffith Thomas, who touched countless lives as an attorney, civic leader, and friend; and, be it

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