HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 282 Offered February 8, 2006 Celebrating the life of Svein Jarl Lassen. ---------- Patrons-- Oder, BaCote, Hamilton and Rapp ----------

WHEREAS, Svein Jarl Lassen, an admired community leader and respected former chairman of the Newport News School Board, died January 25, 2006; and

WHEREAS, born in Oslo, Norway, on March 10, 1947, Svein Lassen came to the United States with his family at the age of six, settling in Newport News; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen graduated from Ferguson High School in 1965 and was awarded a scholarship to attend Randolph-Macon College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen served his country in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, after his military duty, Svein Lassen earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973 and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen was a partner in the law firm of Marshall, Blalock, Garner, and Millner from 1973 to 1987 and then joined the law firm of Jones, Blechman, Woltz, and Kelly in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen believed in the importance of a quality education and served as a member, and for some time as chairman, of the Newport News School Board from 1978 to 1986; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen also served as a member and chairman of the Hampton Roads Academy; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen remained a great supporter of his alma mater, Randolph-Macon College, and was honored as an outstanding alumnus in 1982; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life for his fellow Peninsula residents, Svein Lassen served as a member of the Newport News Wetlands Board; as general counsel and board member of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Peninsula Housing and Building Association, and the United Way pilot; and as a director on the boards of the Bank of Newport News, Peninsula Trust Bank, and the Bank of Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, Svein Lassen will be fondly remembered for his inspirational courage during his illness and his generous and compassionate nature and will be missed by his family, his countless friends and admirers, and the congregation of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding public servant and fine Virginian, Svein Jarl Lassen; 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 Svein Jarl Lassen as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.