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2023 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 613
Celebrating the life of Kerry Joseph Donley.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 6, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, February 9, 2023

 

WHEREAS, Kerry Joseph Donley, an accomplished banker, esteemed public servant, former mayor of the City of Alexandria, and beloved member of the Alexandria community, died on July 13, 2022; and

WHEREAS, born in Elk Point, South Dakota, Kerry Donley moved with his family at a young age to Alexandria, graduating from Bishop Ireton High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University; and

WHEREAS, throughout a successful career in the banking industry, Kerry Donley worked tirelessly for the benefit of his clients, ultimately retiring as senior vice president of John Marshall Bank in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Kerry Donley’s distinguished career in politics began in 1988 with his election to the Alexandria City Council; after serving as vice-mayor from 1994 to 1996, he was mayor of the City of Alexandria from 1996 to 2003; he then served as chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia for two years and later held the position of vice-mayor again from 2009 to 2012 following a return to politics; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as mayor and on the Alexandria City Council, Kerry Donley accomplished many monumental endeavors for Alexandria, including leading the resolution for the reconstruction of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, attracting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to the city, working to save 500 market-rate affordable housing units, and building the first elementary school in the city in 35 years; and

WHEREAS, motivated by his love for sports, Kerry Donley served for three years as the athletic director for what is now Alexandria City High School, contributing greatly to the success and well-being of countless young people; and

WHEREAS, Kerry Donley’s commitment to his community was demonstrated through his leadership as vice-chair of the Alexandria Transit Company Board, co-chair of the Cameron Station development task force, and chair of both the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership; and

WHEREAS, with great compassion for his fellow Alexandrians, Kerry Donley served on the boards of several local organizations, including Carpenter’s Shelter, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, the Center for Alexandria’s Children, Senior Services of Alexandria, and Alexandria Renew Enterprises; and

WHEREAS, Kerry Donley’s efforts as a civic leader earned him a trove of accolades and awards, including the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award in 2002 from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Marian Van Landingham Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 from Volunteer Alexandria, and recognition as a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Kerry Donley will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 40 years, Eva; his children, Kristin, Kaitlin, Colleen, Cara, and Kelsey, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Kerry Joseph Donley, former mayor of the City of Alexandria, whose legacy in the community will endure for generations to come; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Kerry Joseph Donley as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.