HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 214 Offered January 20, 2006 Celebrating the life of Nathaniel Krumbein. ---------- Patrons-- Hall, Jones, D.C., McClellan, O'Bannon and Waddell ----------

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein, philanthropist and dynamic owner of the Heilig-Meyers Company, formerly of Richmond, died June 3, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein was born in Alliance, Ohio, and grew up in Washington, Georgia, where he began his college education in 1933 at the University of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from the University of South Carolina's pharmacy school in 1937, Nathaniel Krumbein joined the United States Army during World War II, rising to the rank of major; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Nathaniel Krumbein opened several successful pharmacies in Charlotte, North Carolina; but in 1950, his wife's family urged him to try his hand in Richmond in their furniture business; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein's skill and instinct in store acquisition and construction complimented the keen leadership abilities of his brothers-in-law, Chairman and CEO Hyman Meyers and President Sidney Meyers, and together they transformed the Heilig-Meyers Company into the largest furniture retailer in America; and

WHEREAS, with great vision and creativity, Nathaniel Krumbein recognized the potential of diversification into non-furniture product lines such as appliances, bicycles, lawnmowers, and jewelry, which was in large part responsible for Heilig-Meyers' tremendous success and growth to over 1,000 stores; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein also remained active as a pharmacist in Richmond and received the Virginia Outstanding Pharmacist Award in 2002 and at his death was the oldest registered pharmacist in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, profoundly dedicated to justice and fair treatment for all citizens, Nathaniel Krumbein served as chairman of the Virginia Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League and was made an honorary life commissioner; and

WHEREAS, working with Bishop Walter Sullivan, Nathaniel Krumbein facilitated improved relations between Richmond's Catholic and Jewish communities; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein's commitment to religious freedom for all people inspired his active involvement in the development of the Council of America's First Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Krumbein, an admired and respected community benefactor and activist, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family, countless friends and admirers, and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly, with great sadness, mourn the loss of Nathaniel Krumbein, an extraordinary businessman and outstanding Virginian; 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 Nathaniel Krumbein as an expression of the great respect and esteem in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly.