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2021 SESSION

21103688D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 378
Offered February 2, 2021
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Robert Lathan Calhoun.
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Patrons-- Ebbin, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Hashmi, Howell, Kiggans, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McDougle, McPike, Morrissey, Newman, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Suetterlein, Surovell and Vogel; Delegates: Levine and Sickles
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert Lathan Calhoun, esteemed attorney, member of the Senate of Virginia from 1988 to 1996, and beloved member of the Alexandria community, died on August 6, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Robert “Bob” Calhoun was born in Illinois into a family that valued political engagement; he was inspired throughout his life by his grandmother, who was active in state issues, and followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Yale Law School; and

WHEREAS, Bob Calhoun practiced law with various firms and in 1973 made his first foray into politics; naturally shy, but with an aptitude for public speaking, he lost his first race to Jim Thomson, majority leader in the House of Delegates, but he would be undeterred in his pursuit of public office; and

WHEREAS, Bob Calhoun’s intelligence, practicality, and passion soon won him a seat on the Alexandria City Council in 1976; despite being the lone Republican on the council at the time, he would become vice mayor only three years later and help more Republicans win seats to the council; and

WHEREAS, during his time on the Alexandria City Council, Bob Calhoun promoted the development of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, now a cornerstone of Alexandria, facilitated the creation of the Covanta Waste to Energy Plan, and was involved in a preliminary study of the DASH bus system; and

WHEREAS, from the Alexandria City Council, Bob Calhoun went on to serve in the Senate of Virginia, where he was known for both his sharp wit and his willingness to work with colleagues from across the aisle, representing the 30th District from 1988 to 1996; and

WHEREAS, keen on transportation issues, one of Bob Calhoun’s many accomplishments was his co-sponsorship of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995, which supported development of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Silver Line to Dulles International Airport; and

WHEREAS, an avid reader with a passion for the arts and the outdoors, Bob Calhoun charmed innumerable friends and colleagues with the wisdom and experience he had acquired over the years; and

WHEREAS, Bob Calhoun’s involvement in the community built on his interests and extended beyond politics; he co-chaired the fundraising campaign to found the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, home of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and assisted in establishing the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria; and

WHEREAS, Bob Calhoun reminded all to think critically and take an active role in bringing about the world we want to see, encouraging everyone to get involved, strive for goals, and remain active in the community; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his deep and abiding faith, Bob Calhoun enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, where he was a member for many years and popular speaker in the church’s congregational life programs; and

WHEREAS, Bob Calhoun will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Sandra; his children, Andrew, Rob, and Gordon, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 the Honorable Robert Lathan Calhoun, former member of the Senate of Virginia, whose unwavering dedication to his community and the Commonwealth touched many lives; and, be it

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