HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 253 Offered January 18, 2008 Celebrating the life of M. Ralph Page. ----------
Patrons-- Hall, Alexander, Dance, Jones, D.C., Loupassi, McClellan, Morrissey, O'Bannon, Shannon, Spruill, Tyler, Ward and Ware, O.; Senators: Deeds and McEachin
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WHEREAS, M. Ralph Page of Richmond, a respected citizen and an admired judge of the Richmond Circuit Court, died on May 20, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Page was born and grew up in Chesterfield County and valiantly served his country in the United States Army in Europe during World War II; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Ralph Page graduated from what is now Hampton University and earned a law degree from Howard University; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Page began his practice of law in Richmond with the late Delegate Roland Ealey, before his appointment as a special justice for the Richmond Circuit Court; and

WHEREAS, as a special justice of the Richmond Circuit Court, Judge Page had the weighty responsibility of deciding if citizens were a threat to themselves or others or could not care for themselves, necessitating involuntary commitment to a mental facility; and

WHEREAS, on call 24 hours a day every third week of the month, Judge Page would approach his duty on the bench with seasoned judgment and compassion, listening carefully to the testimony of attorneys, doctors, and loved ones; and

WHEREAS, a knowledgeable and experienced jurist in the matters of mental health and treatment, Judge Page touched the lives of many Richmond citizens in need and their families; and

WHEREAS, believing ardently that all promising students should have the opportunity to pursue a quality higher education, Judge Page, many years ago, established a scholarship fund at his beloved alma mater Hampton University to aid young people in need, and the award will be now known as the M. Ralph Page Memorial Scholarship in his honor; and

WHEREAS, with a strong desire to give back to his community, Judge Page generously donated his time and talents as a member of the boards of Hampton University, Consolidated Bank & Trust Company, Longwood College, and the Richmond Personnel Board; and

WHEREAS, Judge Page was an active member of the Old Dominion Bar Association, the Kiwanis Club, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Judge Page was a faithful member of the Greater Ebenezer AME Church on Terminal Avenue and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Judge Page was the widower of his beloved wife and life partner Evelyn R. Page and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his family and his numerous friends and colleagues he leaves behind, as well as the citizens of the City of Richmond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine judge and outstanding Virginian, M. Ralph Page; 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 M. Ralph Page as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.