HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled December 7, 2005 Celebrating the life of Paul B. Merritt. ---------- Patron-- Lewis ----------

WHEREAS, Paul B. Merritt, Chincoteague businessman and respected former member of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors, died on April 29, 2005; and

WHEREAS, during his 32-year tenure, Paul Merritt provided excellent leadership and brought profound wisdom and experience to the Accomack County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, during his political career, Paul Merritt served as a councilman and the vice mayor of the Town of Chincoteague and ran for a seat in the House of Delegates; and

WHEREAS, committed to the preservation of his picturesque island hometown and all of the Commonwealth's splendid seashores, bays, lakes, rivers, and tributaries, Paul Merritt served on the governor-appointed Tourism and Marine Resources Commissions; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life of public service, Paul Merritt vigorously pursued policies that benefited and enhanced the quality of life for all residents of Chincoteague and the Eastern Shore of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Paul Merritt served his community with dignity and ardent devotion and will be fondly remembered by his family, his numerous friends and admirers, and the citizens of  Accomack County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the passing of an outstanding public servant and fine Virginia gentleman, Paul B. Merritt; 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 Paul B. Merritt as an expression of the respect in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.