SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 289
Celebrating the life of the Honorable John Spence Reid.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 9, 2023
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 13, 2023

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable John Spence Reid, a longtime member of the House of Delegates who ably served the residents of Henrico County for 18 years, died on July 17, 2022; and

WHEREAS, John “Jack” Reid was born in Norfolk and lived in Suffolk, Emporia, and Chicago, Illinois, in his youth; he became a boarding student at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, where he excelled in athletics as a member of the basketball team and co-captain of the football team; and

WHEREAS, Jack Reid earned a bachelor’s degree from Wofford College in South Carolina and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia; he subsequently settled in Mechanicsville and began a career as a teacher and football coach at what is now Mechanicsville High School; and

WHEREAS, Jack Reid also coached football and track at the University of Richmond, bringing prestige to the university by helping to produce several world-class sprinters, marathoners, and decathlon competitors during his tenure; he proudly helped organize a unique series of track meets between athletes from the United States and the Soviet Union, a tremendous diplomatic achievement at the height of the Cold War; and

WHEREAS, Jack Reid guided Robious Middle School through a period of significant growth and change as principal, and he was highly admired as a passionate advocate for both teachers and students; he went on to partner with a fellow school administrator to manage both Henrico County Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, Jack Reid volunteered in the United States Senate campaign for the Honorable Richard D. Obenshain and ultimately became an active leader in the Virginia Republican Party, supporting countless statewide candidates before seeking office himself; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Jack Reid defeated a longtime Democratic incumbent to become the first Republican to represent Henrico County in decades; he served nine terms until his retirement in 2008 and offered his leadership and expertise to several standing committees, including General Laws, of which he served as chair; and

WHEREAS, among many legislative achievements, Jack Reid brokered a compromise between environmental groups and energy executives and crafted landmark legislation, the Virginia Clean Smokestacks Act, to reduce emissions from smokestacks and improve air quality in the Commonwealth, for which he was recognized as Legislative Advocate of the Year by the American Lung Association of Virginia; he also focused on legislation to protect women and others from stalkers and domestic abuse; and

WHEREAS, a principled champion for limited government, Jack Reid supported fiscal responsibility and was often the only vote in opposition to otherwise unanimous legislation; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement as a state lawmaker, Jack Reid continued to provide his wise insights to many civic and service organizations; he served on the Board of the Alpha-1 Association in addition to the Virginia Leadership Board of the American Lung Association; and

WHEREAS, Jack Reid also enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at West End Assembly of God church, where he was a member of the men’s Bible study group and other ministries; and

WHEREAS, Jack Reid will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Judi; his children, John and Lisa, 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 John Spence Reid; 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 John Spence Reid as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.