HJ458: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr.
WHEREAS, the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr., a highly admired statesman and a respected leader in the Chesapeake community, died on February 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Elk Park, North Carolina, Harry Blevins relocated to Elizabeth City with his family and went on to serve the youth of the community for more than 20 years as a teacher, coach, and principal at Great Bridge High School; he was a trusted mentor to countless students, giving them the tools to become responsible citizens of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the community and the Commonwealth, Harry Blevins ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1997; he represented the residents of Chesapeake in the 78th District until 2001, when he was elected to the Senate of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, from 2001 to 2013, Harry Blevins represented the residents of parts of the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton in the 14th District; and
WHEREAS, during his time as a state lawmaker, Harry Blevins introduced and supported numerous important pieces of legislation to enhance the lives of all Virginians and offered his wisdom and leadership to several committees and commissions; and
WHEREAS, a champion for education, Harry Blevins’ years of experience as a teacher, coach, and high school principal made him a valuable resource on issues impacting Virginia schools, and he was an active member of the General Assembly’s Commission on Youth from 2004 to 2013, serving as chair in 2005 and 2006 and vice chair in 2011 and 2013; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins treated everyone he met with dignity and civility, and he fostered bipartisan cooperation and mutual respect among his fellow legislators for the good of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated public servant, Harry Blevins earned numerous awards and accolades for his lifetime of service, including the 1987 First Citizen of Chesapeake award from the Rotary Club of Chesapeake; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins was well respected and known by all as a man of great character, honor, and integrity; he was the epitome of a gentleman, statesman, public servant, devoted family man, and friend; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Margie; his children, Harry, Jr., Marsha, Daniel, and Linda, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr., a dedicated public servant and a true Southern gentleman; 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 the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 458
Patrons-- Leftwich, Knight, Adams, D.M., Adams, L.R., Aird, Austin, Ayala, Bagby, Bell, John J., Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Bloxom, Bourne, Boysko, Brewer, Bulova, Byron, Campbell, Carr, Carroll Foy, Carter, Cline, Cole, Collins, Convirs-Fowler, Cox, Davis, Delaney, Edmunds, Fariss, Filler-Corn, Fowler, Freitas, Garrett, Gilbert, Gooditis, Guzman, Habeeb, Hayes, Head, Helsel, Heretick, Herring, Hodges, Hope, Hugo, Hurst, Ingram, James, Jones, J.C., Jones, S.C., Keam, Kilgore, Kory, Krizek, Landes, LaRock, Levine, Lindsey, Lopez, Marshall, McGuire, McQuinn, Miyares, Morefield, Mullin, Murphy, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Pillion, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Price, Ransone, Rasoul, Reid, Robinson, Rodman, Roem, Rush, Sickles, Simon, Stolle, Sullivan, Thomas, Torian, Toscano, Tran, Turpin, Tyler, VanValkenburg, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright and Yancey; Senators: Barker, Cosgrove, Deeds, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Howell, Marsden, McClellan, McPike, Newman, Norment, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stuart, Sturtevant and Wagner
WHEREAS, the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr., a highly admired statesman and a respected leader in the Chesapeake community, died on February 19, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Elk Park, North Carolina, Harry Blevins relocated to Elizabeth City with his family and went on to serve the youth of the community for more than 20 years as a teacher, coach, and principal at Great Bridge High School; he was a trusted mentor to countless students, giving them the tools to become responsible citizens of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the community and the Commonwealth, Harry Blevins ran for and was elected to the House of Delegates in 1997; he represented the residents of Chesapeake in the 78th District until 2001, when he was elected to the Senate of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, from 2001 to 2013, Harry Blevins represented the residents of parts of the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton in the 14th District; and
WHEREAS, during his time as a state lawmaker, Harry Blevins introduced and supported numerous important pieces of legislation to enhance the lives of all Virginians and offered his wisdom and leadership to several committees and commissions; and
WHEREAS, a champion for education, Harry Blevins’ years of experience as teacher, coach, and high school principal made him a valuable resource on issues impacting Virginia schools, and he was an active member of the General Assembly’s Commission on Youth from 2004 to 2013, serving as chair in 2005 and 2006 and vice chair in 2011 and 2013; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins treated everyone he met with dignity and civility, and he fostered bipartisan cooperation and mutual respect among his fellow legislators for the good of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated public servant, Harry Blevins earned numerous awards and accolades for his lifetime of service, including the 1987 First Citizen of Chesapeake award from the Rotary Club of Chesapeake; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins was well respected and known by all as a man of great character, honor, and integrity; he was the epitome of a gentleman, statesman, public servant, devoted family man and friend; and
WHEREAS, Harry Blevins will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Margie; his children, Harry, Jr., Marsha, Daniel, and Linda, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Harry Burn Blevins, Sr., a dedicated public servant and a true Southern gentleman; 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 the Honorable Harry Burns Blevins, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.