HJ275: Commending Theodore V. Morrison, Jr.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 275
Offered January 23, 2008
Commending Theodore V. Morrison, Jr.

Patrons-- Morgan, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, Mathieson, May, McClellan, Melvin, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Moran, Morrissey, Nichols, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Vanderhye, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright; Senators: Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stolle, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple

WHEREAS, Theodore V. Morrison, Jr., former member of the House of Delegates and member of the State Corporation Commission since 1989, will retire at the end of his term in 2008, after 40 years of outstanding service to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, born June 15, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia, Ted Morrison earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree from Emory University and served his country in the United States Army, the United States Army Reserves, and the Virginia Army Reserve National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Judge Morrison began the private practice of law in Newport News in 1960 and he continually maintained his local law firm, serving the citizens of Hampton Roads until 1989; and

WHEREAS, honored as State Young Man of the Year in 1968, Judge Morrison was first elected to the House of Delegates in that same year, where he served his constituents of the 49th District in the City of Newport News with distinction until 1988; and

WHEREAS, a knowledgeable and thoughtful legislator, Judge Morrison patroned important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth and served as chair of the House Committee on Finance from 1984 to 1988, and was an invaluable member and respected leader of the Courts of Justice, Rules, and Privileges and Elections committees; and

WHEREAS, Judge Morrison was a member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission from 1973 to 1988, serving as its vice chairman during his final term; and

WHEREAS, Judge Morrison  served on Virginia's Committee on District Courts from 1980 to 1988 and the Virginia Code Commission from 1974 to 1996, serving a term as its vice chair and one as chair; and

WHEREAS, on February 15, 1989, Judge Morrison was selected to fill an unexpired term on the Virginia State Corporation Commission and at its completion was elected to successive six-year terms in 1990, 1996, and 2002; he has served as the revered chair of the SCC on five occasions and is the current chair in 2007; and

WHEREAS, receiving awards and accolades over the years for his many contributions to his profession and his community, Judge Morrison has been an active member of numerous civic and professional organizations, including as a member of the American Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association, Newport News Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; as a member of the boards of Peninsula Family Service & Traveler's Aid, Peninsula Mental Health Center, Hampton Roads Boys Club, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments, and National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners; and as a member of the Order of the Elks, Moose Club, and Jaycees in Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, after a long and illustrious career in public service, Judge Morrison is looking forward to a fulfilling retirement, spending more time with his wonderful family, and continuing to be active in the community and the affairs of the Commonwealth; he and his wife Sharon reside in Richmond and have three sons; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Theodore V. Morrison, Jr., on his 40 years of exceptional leadership and outstanding public service; and, be it

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