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2023 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 316
Celebrating the life of Bruce Hunter Neilson.

 

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

 

WHEREAS, Bruce Hunter Neilson, an esteemed member of the U.S. Department of Justice, treasurer of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and active and beloved member of the Fairfax County community, died on December 17, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson graduated from Hopewell High School in 1970 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science in 1974 and a master’s degree in public administration in 1975, each from Penn State University; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson enjoyed a fulfilling 31-year career at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he supported the agency’s bankruptcy oversight program until his retirement in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson devoted 20 years to Social Action Linking Together, helping the organization advance its mission through legislative achievements in prison reform and increases to the minimum wage, as well as through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grants and homelessness prevention efforts; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his record of service and expertise, Bruce Neilson was appointed by the former chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova, to represent Fairfax County on the Northern Virginia Community College Board, where he chaired the Finance Committee for several years; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson served the Fairfax County Democratic Committee as treasurer from 2002 to 2009 and as communications advisor from 2014 to 2017, earning “Unsung Hero” honors in 2017 for his lifetime of dedicated service to the organization; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson supported causes near and dear to him as treasurer both for the Honorable Richard Saslaw and various nonprofit organizations, including Bringing Resources to Aid Women’s Shelters; he also gave generously of his time and talents to organizations such as the Northern Virginia Literary Council and the Alliance for Human Services; and

WHEREAS, in his personal life, Bruce Neilson ardently cheered on his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and took immense pleasure in cooking, gardening, traveling, antiquing, and making a difference in the lives of others, especially those in need; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Neilson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Kathleen; her children, Paul, Stephen, Kelly, and Christopher, and their families; his brothers, David and Robert; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Bruce Hunter Neilson, a cherished member of the Fairfax County community whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it

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