HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1006 Offered February 19, 2007 Celebrating the life of Robert Bates Ball, Sr. ----------
Patrons-- McEachin, Abbitt, Alexander, Armstrong, Byron, Callahan, Carrico, Dudley, Eisenberg, Hall, Hargrove, Howell, A.T., Hull, Ingram, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Kilgore, McClellan, Melvin, Miller, P.J., Moran, O'Bannon, Phillips, Scott, J.M., Shuler, Spruill, Tata, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O. and Ware, R.L.
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WHEREAS, Robert Bates Ball, Sr., of Henrico County, a beloved citizen of the Commonwealth and member of the House of Delegates from 1971 to 1995, died on September 2, 2006; and

WHEREAS, a native of Caroline County, Robert Ball grew up in Richmond, and as a result of the Depression, went to work after finishing junior high school, completing high school at night at the old John Marshall High School; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1936, Robert Ball worked for Safeway, Inc., for 16 years, first at the Hull Street location as a butcher, and then as store manager; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball took work leave from the grocery store chain during World War II to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps as an instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina; after the war he served in the Virginia Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball became interested in commercial real estate, saved his money for a down payment, and purchased the Princess Lee Motel in 1952; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball soon established Ball Realty Corporation and expanded his company into land and hotel development; he became an officer in the national motel chain, Quality Courts, and was instrumental in the redevelopment of the William Byrd Hotel into affordable housing units for the elderly; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life of his fellow citizens, Robert Ball served on the Henrico Planning Commission and the Henrico Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, desiring to make a difference in the Commonwealth, Robert Ball became involved in state politics and was elected to the House of Delegates in 1971, representing the 32nd District, which at the time included Henrico and Hanover counties; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Ball served as the chair of the General Assembly’s powerful House Appropriations Committee for five years and was instrumental in securing funding for downtown Richmond’s bio-technology research park; he also served on the Privileges and Elections and Roads and Internal Navigation committees; and

WHEREAS, because of his Depression roots and his unconventional schooling, Delegate Ball had a special interest in issues concerning the Commonwealth’s public library system and quality education for Virginia's young people; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Ball was the driving force behind the location of the Library of Virginia, as it stands today on the north side of Broad Street; and he was honored by the state library as president emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Ball was an able lawmaker and influential member of the Democratic Caucus, who worked behind the scenes to enact important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball served as president of the North Richmond Kiwanis Club; executive committee and board member of the Virginia Home for Boys; a 32° Mason of the Glen Allen Lodge No. 131 AF&AM; and a member of the Acca Temple Shrine; and

WHEREAS, concerned with the welfare of his neighbors, Robert Ball was an active and faithful member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church and a participant in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball was the loving husband of Edna Henry Hurt Ball, who died in February 2006; and

WHEREAS, Robert Ball will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Roberta Lee Rivers of Richmond; his son, Robert B. "Butch" Ball, Jr., of Hanover County; his three sisters, all of Richmond; his four wonderful grandchildren; his colleagues on both sides of the aisle; and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of one of its admired former members, Robert Bates Ball, Sr.; 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 Robert Bates Ball, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.