SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 285 Offered March 6, 2006 Commending Robert Whitwell Wilson. ---------- Patrons-- Colgan, Chichester, Cuccinelli, Devolites Davis, Herring, Howell, O'Brien, Potts, Puller, Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple; Delegates: Albo, Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Callahan, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Frederick, Hugo, Hull, Lingamfelter, Marsden, Marshall, R.G., May, McQuigg, Moran, Parrish, Plum, Poisson, Rust, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles and Watts ----------

WHEREAS, Robert  Whitwell Wilson has served Virginia and Maryland local governments for over 30 years in key administrative and executive positions and retired from the service of Prince William County on March 1, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Wilson began his career in 1962 with the Arlington County government as administrative analyst/management and systems analyst and progressed to positions in the Office of the County Manager; and

WHEREAS, Bob Wilson served the Fairfax County government as the county executive from 1972 to 1976 and was instrumental in leading Fairfax County forward by planning for the expansion of the METRO system to the county and for implementation of the PLUS Land Use Plan; and

WHEREAS, Bob Wilson served as chief administrative officer of the Montgomery County and the Prince George’s County, Maryland, governments; and

WHEREAS, Bob Wilson served Prince William County government as the public works director from 1998 through 2006 at a time when the county’s population increased from 200,000 to 360,000; and

WHEREAS, while serving as public works director in Prince William County, Bob Wilson is credited with numerous achievements that have made the county an attractive place in which to live and do business, including local road construction, historic preservation, litter control and landscaping, and property code enforcement programs; extension of Virginia Railway Express to the county; expansion of the county’s landfill; enhancement of the county’s environmental services program to fulfill the vision of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act; and negotiation of agreements to bring high quality business and residential development to the county, such as Innovation Prince William, Belmont Bay, and Harbor Station; and

WHEREAS, Bob Wilson has contributed a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dignity to every position he has held and has mentored many individuals over the years who now hold executive positions in local government as well as in the government of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Bob Wilson’s service and commitment to local governments and their residents have had a profound, positive impact on Northern Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington region, and the Commonwealth of Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Robert Whitwell Wilson for his exemplary service to Virginia local governments and his dedication to the citizens of Northern Virginia for over 30 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Robert Whitwell Wilson as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for his numerous accomplishments and best wishes for a joyful retirement.