HJ976: Commending J. Robert Bray.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 976
Offered February 19, 2007
Commending J. Robert Bray.

Patrons-- Lewis, Abbitt, Alexander, BaCote, Barlow, Brink, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Eisenberg, Gear, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Lohr, Marsden, McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Moran, Morgan, Nixon, O'Bannon, Oder, Phillips, Poisson, Purkey, Rapp, Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L. and Watts

WHEREAS, J. Robert Bray of Norfolk, the executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, will retire after 40 years of outstanding service in December 2007; and

WHEREAS, Robert Bray grew up in Portsmouth, was educated in the Portsmouth City Public Schools, and earned a bachelor's degree from Hampden Sydney College and a law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Robert Bray began his career at the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) as general counsel, and after serving 11 years with the agency, he was appointed executive director; and

WHEREAS, as executive director, Robert Bray heads the VPA, which is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that reports to the state Secretary of Transportation; the agency owns and operates four general cargo facilities, the Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Warren County; and

WHEREAS, during Robert Bray's tenure, the Port of Virginia has grown into one of the largest multiuse seaports in the United States, supporting industries in large international cargo, defense contracting, ship building and repair, commercial fishing, and tourism and cruise lines; and

WHEREAS, one of the busiest ports on the nation's East Coast, the Port of Virginia also serves as home to the largest United States Naval Base and is a major driver of the Commonwealth’s economy, accounting for 165,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, receiving countless awards and accolades over the years, Robert Bray was again honored on November 2, 2006, with Hampton Roads’ highest honor for civic leadership, the Darden Award by the Civic Leadership Institute, a regional organization comprised of leaders representing both sides of the Hampton Roads harbor; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the prosperity and economic development of Hampton Roads, Robert Bray has been a tireless supporter of the community and an active member of the Civic Leadership Institute and numerous other civic and professional organizations that are vital partners of the VPA and the Port of Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend J. Robert Bray on his 40 years of visionary leadership of the Virginia Port Authority; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to J. Robert Bray as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his many achievements and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.