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2020 SESSION

20108979D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 171
Offered February 25, 2020
Commending Robert W. Duncan.
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Patrons-- Hanger, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hashmi, Howell, Kiggans, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McDougle, McPike, Morrissey, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Surovell and Vogel; Delegates: Adams, D.M., Avoli, Bulova, Campbell, R.R., Cole, M.L. and Delaney
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WHEREAS, Robert W. Duncan, who served the Commonwealth with distinction for 41 years, retired on April 1, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Robert “Bob” Duncan began state service on January 1, 1978, with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and

WHEREAS, Bob Duncan served in many significant positions throughout his career with the department, including as a district biologist, wildlife division director, and executive director; and

WHEREAS, Bob Duncan contributed to aquatic wildlife management by maintaining and developing quality, diverse sport fisheries, enabling progressive stances on fish health, and fostering innovative restoration strategies for endangered mussels, finfish, and amphibians within the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Bob Duncan’s leadership to the department’s comprehensive boating safety education program, safety outreach messaging, on-the-water enforcement, and boating access program resulted in a safer and more enjoyable boating experience for the Commonwealth’s nearly 250,000 registered boat owners, multitudes of paddlers, and on-the-water enthusiasts and their families through increased access and a marked reduction in boating accidents and fatalities; and

WHEREAS, Bob Duncan supported the department’s conservation police officers as they furthered their efforts to safeguard Virginia’s natural resources, connect all people to wildlife, and protect the public; and

WHEREAS, the inextricable link between Virginia’s wildlife resources and Bob Duncan’s more than four decades of leadership were exemplified by his staunch adherence to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which includes the promotion of ethical, safe, and fair chase pursuits; conviction that management be grounded in strong science; recognition that cooperative relationships enhance wildlife management actions; support for permanently protecting tens of thousands of acres of quality wildlife habitat; and innumerable day-to-day decisions that positively impacted the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources, such that Virginia remains a national leader in wildlife management; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Robert W. Duncan for his decades of service to the Commonwealth on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Robert W. Duncan as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the support that he has provided to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and his work to conserve the wildlife and natural resources of Virginia.