HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 135 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 Celebrating the life of Benjamin R. Gardner. ---------- Patron-- Armstrong ----------

WHEREAS, Benjamin R. Gardner of Martinsville, an admired attorney and respected community leader, died on September 9, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin "Ben" Gardner was born on October 19, 1941, a son of the late Benjamin Woodrow Gardner and Dorothy Maynard Gardner; graduated from Martinsville High School in 1960; and earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Military Institute in 1964, where he was vice president of the student body all four years and received the Distinguished Military Student Award; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Benjamin Gardner received a law degree from Washington and Lee University, and upon graduation, he served his country in the United States Army in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, including duty as a military judge; and

WHEREAS, in 1975, Benjamin Gardner and his brother, Philip, began a local law practice of Gardner and Gardner in Martinsville, which is now Gardner, Gardner, Barrow and Sharpe; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Gardner served as a substitute judge for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the General District Court of Martinsville for Henry and Patrick Counties; and

WHEREAS, an exemplary mentor for young attorneys, Benjamin Gardner was a member of the adjunct faculty of Patrick Henry Community College for more than 20 years, teaching courses in business law and paralegal studies; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life and distinguished career, Benjamin Gardner gave his time and immense talents to numerous civic and professional organizations, including as the president of the board of directors of the American Red Cross; as a board member of the Patrick Henry Mental Health Clinic; as a member of the American Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Martinsville-Henry County Bar Association; and as a charter member of Ducks Unlimited; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Gardner was active in the Chamber of Commerce of Henry County-Martinsville since the early 1970s; in 1976, he became the chamber's 18th chairman and served as chairman of the Coalition for Economic Progress and as a member of the Partnership for Progress, predecessor of the Partnership for Economic Growth, and what is now the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp; and

WHEREAS, devoted to the prosperity and well-being of his community, Benjamin Gardner received the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce's highest honor, the Heck Ford Award in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Gardner was a faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Gardner will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Jane Martine Gardner; his three sons Russel, Graham, and Martin and their wonderful families, including seven grandchildren; his numerous other family members and friends; and the citizens of Martinsville; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine attorney, community leader, and outstanding Virginian, Benjamin R. Gardner; 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 Benjamin R. Gardner as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.