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2021 SPECIAL SESSION I

21102463D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 699
Offered February 1, 2021
Commending Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr.
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Patrons-- VanValkenburg, Adams, D.M. and Bagby
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WHEREAS, Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr., a respected legal professional and civic servant, retired as county attorney of Henrico County on June 19, 2020, after 43 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Joseph “Joe” P. Rapisarda, Jr., grew up in Henrico County and graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School as salutatorian; he subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a DuPont scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Joe Rapisarda began his career with the law firm May, Miller & Parsons; and

WHEREAS, during his 38-year tenure as county attorney, Joe Rapisarda served as president of the Henrico County Bar Association and Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, chair of the Virginia State Bar’s Third District Committee and Standing Committee, a member of the Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course Faculty, and a member of the Boyd-Graves Conference, which works to improve the quality of Virginia’s civil justice system; and

WHEREAS, Joe Rapisarda joined the Henrico County government team in 1977 and became county attorney in 1982; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Joe Rapisarda worked with four subsequent county manager administrations and became a trusted source of institutional knowledge for local officials; and

WHEREAS, Joe Rapisarda’s guidance on major initiatives, including the meals tax, general obligation bond referenda, community development authorities, the short-term rental ordinance, redistricting, and public-private partnerships were invaluable to Henrico County; and

WHEREAS, Joe Rapisarda’s steady, judicious leadership helped guide Henrico County through periods of significant growth, and his legal expertise allowed the county to successfully adapt to external changes; and

WHEREAS, aside from his many professional contributions to Henrico County, Joe Rapisarda is an enthusiastic tennis player at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club, a loyal University of Virginia football and basketball fan, an avid reader, and a music lover; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement as county attorney of Henrico County; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his service to the residents of Henrico County.