HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 777 Offered January 19, 2007 Celebrating the life of Joel Thomas Broyhill. ----------
Patrons-- Callahan, Abbitt, Albo, Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Caputo, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Hugo, Hull, Marsden, Moran, Plum, Poisson, Rust, Scott, J.M., Sickles and Watts; Senators: Cuccinelli, Devolites Davis, Herring, Howell, O'Brien, Puller, Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple
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WHEREAS, Joel Thomas Broyhill, respected businessman and United States Congressman from 1953 to 1974, representing Virginia's 10th District in Northern Virginia, died on September 24, 2006; and

WHEREAS, a native of Hopewell, Joel Broyhill moved to Arlington in 1937 when his family relocated their building and real estate firm, M.T. Broyhill & Sons, to Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Joel Broyhill graduated from George Washington University in 1941, enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, and served in the European Theater as a captain in the 106 Infantry Division during World War II; and

WHEREAS, at the Battle of the Bulge, Joel Broyhill was captured by the Germans, but after months of captivity, he managed to escape a prisoner-of-war camp to join advancing United States forces; and

WHEREAS, Joel Broyhill was released from active duty on November 1, 1945, and was awarded the Bronze Star; he returned home to work as general manager in his family's real estate firm; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Joel Broyhill soon became actively involved in Northern Virginia civic affairs and politics, serving as president of the Arlington County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Arlington County Planning Commission, and president of the Arlington Republican Club; and

WHEREAS, in 1952, Joel Broyhill ran for the United States Congress and won on his 33rd birthday; and

WHEREAS, an outstanding congressman, Joel Broyhill overwhelmingly satisfied the voters and their interests and was reelected by the people of the 10th District for 10 consecutive terms; and

WHEREAS, Joel Broyhill served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee and was known for his legendary constituent services; and

WHEREAS, also known for his support of local matters concerning the Washington, D.C., area, Joel Broyhill patroned legislation to construct the Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson bridges, the second span of the 14th Street Bridge, and the widening of Shirley Highway, as well as supported better pay and working conditions for federal employees, federal aid to local school systems, and financial support for the Washington Metro system; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Congress named the postal building located at 8409 Lee Highway in Merrifield, Virginia, in his honor; and

WHEREAS, an influential and dedicated politician, Joel Broyhill served as a ranking Republican for most of his career in Congress and represented the 10th District with great enthusiasm and skill; and

WHEREAS, Joel Broyhill will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving family, his numerous friends and colleagues, 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 a longtime public servant and fine Virginian, Joel Thomas Broyhill; 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 Joel Thomas Broyhill as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.