SR95: Commending John McE. Garrett.


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 95
Commending John McE. Garrett.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 12, 2015
 

WHEREAS, John McE. Garrett, chief deputy clerk of the Senate of Virginia, retired on November 1, 2014, after 45 years of meritorious service to the Commonwealth, including 40 years of outstanding service to the Senate of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a native of King William County, John Garrett heard the noble calling of public service at an early age, serving as a Senate page during the 1960 Session of the General Assembly and as the Senate assistant postmaster during the 1962 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett graduated from Randolph-Macon College, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics; his head for numbers coupled with a deep appreciation for Virginia history would be an ideal combination for a long and successful career in Virginia government; and

WHEREAS, a newly minted college graduate in 1969, John Garrett enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for four years before embarking on a civil service career as the reading clerk and computer coordinator with the Senate Clerk’s Office; and

WHEREAS, after taking a brief hiatus from the Senate Clerk’s Office to work for the Virginia Compensation Board as the executive secretary, John Garrett returned to the Senate Clerk’s Office in 1988 to take the position of deputy clerk; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett’s commitment to excellence led to new career heights; he ably served as the chair of the Compensation Board from 1990 to 1991 and became the Senate’s first chief deputy clerk when he took the oath of office on the floor of the Senate on the opening day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, desiring to expand and enrich his leadership and managerial skills, John Garrett attended the Virginia Executive Institute and Legislative Staff Management Institute, where he acquired valuable skills for motivating and inspiring the next generation of public servants to do their best; and

WHEREAS, highly respected and regarded among his peers for his institutional knowledge, legislative acumen, and dedication to the profession, John Garrett was awarded the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries Staff Achievement Award in 2007 for his lifetime contributions in helping to improve the effectiveness of the legislative institution; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett, a loyal and faithful employee and friend, will be greatly missed by the staff of the Senate Clerk’s Office, “his second family,” who wish him a long and joyful retirement with his wife, Cheryl; daughters, Caroline, Hannah, and Elizabeth; and other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett stands as the epitome of a dedicated public servant who puts his whole mind, body, and heart into his work, believing that a job well done is its own just reward; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That John McE. Garrett hereby be commended for nearly five decades of public service and consummate dedication to the Senate of Virginia and the Commonwealth on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John McE. Garrett as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s appreciation for his decision to answer one of society’s most honorable callings and best wishes for a rich and rewarding retirement.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 95

Offered February 11, 2015
Commending John McE. Garrett.

Patrons-- McDougle, Alexander, Barker, Black, Carrico, Chafin, Colgan, Cosgrove, Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Hanger, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Martin, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Petersen, Puller, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Vogel, Wagner, Watkins and Wexton

WHEREAS, John McE. Garrett, chief deputy clerk of the Senate of Virginia, retired on November 1, 2014, after 45 years of meritorious service to the Commonwealth, including 40 years of outstanding service to the Senate of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a native of King William County, John Garrett heard the noble calling of public service at an early age, serving as a Senate page during the 1960 Session of the General Assembly and as the Senate assistant postmaster during the 1962 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett graduated from Randolph-Macon College, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics; his head for numbers coupled with a deep appreciation for Virginia history would be an ideal combination for a long and successful career in Virginia government; and

WHEREAS, as a newly minted college graduate in 1969, John Garrett enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for four years before embarking on a civil service career as the reading clerk and computer coordinator with the Senate Clerk’s Office; and

WHEREAS, after taking a brief hiatus from the Senate Clerk’s Office to work for the Virginia Compensation Board as the executive secretary, John Garrett returned to the Senate Clerk’s Office in 1988 to take the position of deputy clerk; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett’s commitment to excellence led to new career heights; he ably served as the chair of the Compensation Board from 1990 to 1991 and became the Senate’s first chief deputy clerk when he took the oath of office on the floor of Senate on the opening day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, desiring to expand and enrich his leadership and managerial skills, John Garrett attended the Virginia Executive Institute and Legislative Staff Management Institute, where he acquired valuable skills for motivating and inspiring the next generation of public servants to do their best; and

WHEREAS, highly respected and regarded among his peers for his institutional knowledge, legislative acumen, and dedication to the profession, John Garrett was awarded the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries Staff Achievement Award in 2007 for his lifetime contributions in helping to improve the effectiveness of the legislative institution; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett, a loyal and faithful employee and friend, will be greatly missed by the staff of the Senate Clerk’s Office, “his second family,” who wish him a long and joyful retirement with his wife, Cheryl; daughters, Caroline, Hannah, and Elizabeth; and other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, John Garrett stands as the epitome of a dedicated public servant who puts his whole mind, body, and heart into his work, believing that a job well done is its own just reward; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That John McE. Garrett hereby be commended for nearly five decades of public service and consummate dedication to the Senate of Virginia and the Commonwealth on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John McE. Garrett as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s appreciation for his decision to answer one of society’s most honorable callings and best wishes for a rich and rewarding retirement.