HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 85 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Commending Charles Breckenridge Arrington, Jr. ---------- Patrons—McClellan, Albo, Armstrong, Athey, Barlow, Brink, Dance, Fralin, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Howell, W.J., Hurt, Iaquinto, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Kilgore, Lewis, McEachin, Melvin, Moran, O’Bannon, Phillips, Poisson, Putney, Shannon, Spruill, Toscano, Tyler, Waddell, Ware, O.; Senator: Miller ----------

WHEREAS, Charles Breckenridge Arrington, Jr., vice president and chief operating officer of The Virginia Bar Association (VBA), is honored for his outstanding service to the VBA and the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Breckenridge “Breck” Arrington was born in Savannah, Georgia, grew up in Maryland, and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Breck Arrington served his country as an officer in the United States Navy on destroyer duty with the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets, graduated with honors from the School of Naval Justice, received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1961, and practiced civil litigation in private practice until 1968; and

WHEREAS, Breck Arrington joined the Atlantic Richfield Company in 1968 serving in numerous key positions during a long and prestigious career in corporate and governmental law, was a valuable asset in the implementation of the first public policy analysis function in the corporate sector, and capped his brilliant private sector career at Newmyer Associates, Inc., as a consultant in public and governmental affairs management; and

WHEREAS, in 1991 Breck Arrington became executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Virginia Bar Association, the largest and oldest voluntary statewide bar organization in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Breck Arrington supported much needed law reform and alternative dispute resolution in Virginia as well as advanced essential legal assistance programs for children, seniors, families, and persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Breck Arrington’s superb leadership and steadfast support were responsible for the success of many commendable public service programs of The Virginia Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division including the VBA’s Pro Bono Hotline, which was honored by the American Bar Association as the most outstanding program in the nation providing legal services to the poor; and

WHEREAS, Breck Arrington also fostered the creation of the Virginia Elder Rights Coalition and the Virginia Coalition on Family Law Issues; and

WHEREAS, among his notable accomplishments, Breck Arrington served on the governor’s study commission to recommend stronger DUI laws and was instrumental in the passage of the Virginia Mediation Act, the enactment of the Virginia Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, the establishment of the Appalachian School of Law, the Better Business Bureau Dispute Resolution Service and the Virginia Supreme Court’s Department of Dispute Resolution as well as supporting diversity and excellence in bar leadership; and

WHEREAS, a respected leader and community benefactor, Breck Arrington is an active participant and contributor to numerous civic and professional organizations, but his most admirable qualities are revealed in his outstanding contributions to the VBA, his mentoring of young attorneys, and his commitment to programs that provide quality legal services to all citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend an outstanding Virginian, Charles Breckenridge Arrington, Jr., for his devotion to The Virginia Bar Association, its Young Lawyers Division, and the people of the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles Breckenridge Arrington, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and gratitude for his many achievements.