HR29: Celebrating the life of James Telford Edmunds.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 29
Offered March 7, 2008
Celebrating the life of James Telford Edmunds.
Patron-- Wright

WHEREAS, James Telford Edmunds of Kenbridge, a beloved citizen of the Commonwealth and a member of the Senate of Virginia from 1972 to 1980, died on February 26, 2008; and

WHEREAS, James “Jim” Edmunds was born in Amsterdam, New York, on September 12, 1931, moved with his family to Kenbridge, and received his law degree from the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, devoted to his community of Kenbridge, James Edmunds served as town attorney and was a longtime member of the Lunenburg County Planning Commission, and he also served as secretary/treasurer of Kenbridge Industries, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, desiring to make a difference in the Commonwealth, James Edmunds became involved in state politics and was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1972, representing the 17th District, which included part of Chesterfield County and Amelia, Brunswick, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Powhatan Counties; and

WHEREAS, Senator Edmunds was a hard-working and able lawmaker and a conscientious member of the Democratic Caucus who worked diligently to enact important legislation for the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Senator Edmunds served as a member of the Senate committees on Rules; Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources; Education and Health; General Laws; and Rehabilitation and Social Services; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure in the General Assembly, Senator Edmunds also served as the chairman of the Joint Legislative Subcommittee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse; and

WHEREAS, Senator Edmunds generously gave his time and expertise over the years to many civic organizations, serving as a member of the advisory board of what was then Fidelity National Bank, as a member of the board of directors of the Virginia Mental Health Foundation, and as district governor of Lions Club International; and

WHEREAS, Senator Edmunds was a lifelong Methodist and was active in his local church in Kenbridge, served as a lay leader, and was supportive of the church’s many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, James Edmunds will be fondly remembered for his dedication to his constituents and greatly missed by his loving family and numerous friends, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of an exceptional leader and citizen of the Commonwealth, James Telford Edmunds; 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 James Telford Edmunds, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ high regard for his memory.