HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 65 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 3, 2008 Celebrating the life of William Littleton Winston. ---------- Patron-- Eisenberg ----------

WHEREAS, William Littleton Winston of Arlington, a beloved citizen of the Commonwealth, member of the House of Delegates from 1955 to 1965, and former chief judge of the Arlington County Circuit Court, died on November 6, 2007; and

WHEREAS, William Winston was born and grew up in Richmond, attended Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, and served his country in the United States Army Air Force in the Pacific Theatre during World War II; and

WHEREAS, William Winston earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School in 1948 and was a distinguished member of the Order of the Coif honor society; and

WHEREAS, William Winston began a practice of general law and maintained a local law firm, serving the residents of Arlington County throughout his years in public service; and

WHEREAS, desiring to make a difference in the Commonwealth, William Winston was elected to Arlington County's 9th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1955, and during his tenure, he focused on the best interests of his constituents and served on the committees of Finance, Militia and Police, Roads and Internal Navigation, and Counties Cities and Towns until 1965; and

WHEREAS, William Winston was an able lawmaker and prominent member of the Democratic Caucus, who worked diligently to enact important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, William Winston's seminal role in government came in the 1960s when he was appointed by the Governor to a three member panel to decide if Virginia should participate as a signatory in the pact to create the Metro; and he cast the swing vote that brought Virginia into partnership with Maryland and the District of Columbia to establish the regional Metro rail system; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, the General Assembly elected William Winston to the Arlington County Circuit Court, where he heard major civil and criminal cases; and he became the court's chief judge in 1974, serving with distinction until retiring from the bench in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Judge Winston served two four-year terms on the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission and was appointed by the chief justice of Virginia to the Judicial Council, which formulates judicial policy for the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, after retiring, Judge Winston occasionally officiated in cases across the state as a judge designate; and

WHEREAS, concerned with the welfare of his neighbors, Judge Winston was a faithful member of Clarendon United Methodist Church and a participant in the church's many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, Judge Winston was active in many professional and civic organizations over the years, including as a member of the Arlington County Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Arlington Kiwanis Club; and

WHEREAS, a kind and generous man, who dearly loved his family, Judge Winston will be fondly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his great love of baseball; and

WHEREAS, William Winston will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 58 years, Mildred Ryland Winston; his four children, Joseph Ryland Winston, William L. Winston, Jr., Beverly S. Winston, and Ellen Winston Malick; his brother, Joseph M. Winston, Jr.; his seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and numerous other loving family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the loss of a public servant and an esteemed judge, William Littleton Winston; 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 William Littleton Winston, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.