HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 422 Offered March 1, 2006 Celebrating the life of Joseph H. Austin, Jr. ---------- Patrons-- Armstrong, Fralin, Valentine and Ware, O.; Senator: Edwards ----------

WHEREAS, Joseph H. Austin, Jr., respected Roanoke citizen and former president of the Roanoke chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, died on July 9, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Joseph “Joe” Austin graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1943 and served his country in the United States Army Air Force during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Joe Austin earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech in 1949, where he played the saxophone and clarinet in the Highty Tighties; and

WHEREAS, for 35 years, Joe Austin was a dedicated and exemplary agent for Allstate Insurance; and

WHEREAS, a loyal member of the Roanoke chapter of the National Railway Historical Society since its inception in 1968, Joe Austin volunteered numerous hours in the Railway Gift Shop and served over the years in many key leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, a gifted and enthusiastic leader, Joe Austin also served as the Roanoke chapter’s first national director of the National Railway Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, a great rail fan, Joe Austin generously shared his knowledge and love of trains with visitors in the gift shop and railside at special activities; and

WHEREAS, Joe Austin greatly enjoyed life and was an ardent jazz enthusiast, and had the privilege of meeting many of the big band leaders of the swing era; and

WHEREAS, committed to serving his church and fellow citizens in need, Joe Austin was an active and devoted member of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Joe Austin will be fondly remembered for his generosity and amiable nature and will be missed by his loving wife and family, his numerous friends and admirers, and the citizens of the City of Roanoke; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an outstanding Virginian, Joseph H. Austin, Jr.; 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 Joseph H. Austin, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.