HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 792 Offered January 22, 2007 Commending Judge George Wendall Harris, Jr. ---------- Patrons-- Ware, R.L., Fralin and Griffith ----------

WHEREAS, George Wendall Harris, Jr., of Roanoke, an admired and respected general district court judge of the 23rd Judicial District, retired in 2005 after many years of distinguished public service to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, George Harris was born in Lynchburg and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1955; and

WHEREAS, George Harris earned a bachelor's in business administration from Virginia Union University in 1963 and then went on to study at North Carolina Central University, where he obtained a law degree in 1967; and

WHEREAS, after passing the Virginia Bar Examination in 1967, George Harris established a law practice in Roanoke where he was known for his hard work, kindness, and courage; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, George Harris was appointed as a judge to the 23rd Judicial District, serving for 20 years and earning a reputation for being analytical and firm but very fair; and

WHEREAS, Judge Harris has always been very committed to his profession and has been involved in many professional organizations including the Virginia Bar Association, the Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association, the Roanoke Bar Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Judges Association, the American Judicature Society, Virginia District Court Judges Association, and the Old Dominion Bar Association, which he served as president; and

WHEREAS, equally involved in community affairs, Judge Harris has served on the school board of the City of Roanoke and on the boards of the Southwest Virginia Community Development Fund, the Roanoke Valley Council of Community Services, the Hunton YMCA, and the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley; and

WHEREAS, Judge Harris served the 23rd Judicial District with great dignity and wisdom and always showed great concern and compassion for the welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Judge George Wendall Harris, Jr., for his longtime service to the citizens of the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the County of Roanoke; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Judge George Wendall Harris, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his wisdom and fairness in administering justice in the Commonwealth.