HJ772: Celebrating the life of Michael Wayne Woods.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 772
Offered February 2, 2021
Celebrating the life of Michael Wayne Woods.

Patrons-- Marshall, Adams, D.M., Adams, L.R., Austin, Avoli, Batten, Bell, Bloxom, Bourne, Brewer, Bulova, Byron, Campbell, R.R., Carr, Cole, M.L., Cox, Coyner, Delaney, Edmunds, Fowler, Gilbert, Head, Heretick, Hodges, Hope, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Krizek, LaRock, Leftwich, Lopez, McGuire, McNamara, Morefield, Poindexter, Reid, Robinson, Runion, Rush, Sickles, Simonds, Subramanyam, VanValkenburg, Walker, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wiley, Wilt, Wright and Wyatt; Senators: Boysko, Deeds, Howell, Ruff, Stanley, Stuart and Vogel

WHEREAS, Michael Wayne Woods, a distinguished lobbyist, honorable veteran, and beloved member of the Commonwealth’s political community, died on November 18, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Michael “Mike” Wayne Woods enlisted with the United States Army and served his country with courage and valor as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, Mike Woods was civically engaged throughout his career and supported many local, state, and federal political campaigns, including President George W. Bush’s successful bid for the White House in 2000; and

WHEREAS, from 1999 to 2005, Mike Woods served many political roles, including deputy political director of the Republican Party of Virginia; political director for Morgan Griffith, majority leader in the House of Delegates; and field director for the “Foundation 2002” bond referendum campaign; and

WHEREAS, admired for his extraordinary political acumen, Mike Woods moved into the lobbying world, working with then-named Shuford, Rubin and Gibney and finally joining the law firm formerly known as Mays and Valentine, now Troutman Pepper Strategies, in 2004, building a reputation as one of the most well-known and well-liked members of the Virginia lobbying community; and

WHEREAS, Mike Woods’s passion for all things political was rivaled only by his love of baseball, especially his cherished Cincinnati Reds; and

WHEREAS, Mike Woods will be fondly remembered for his quick wit, legendary storytelling, and unyielding loyalty and deeply missed by his family and friends, especially his beloved daughter, Caitlin; 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 Michael Wayne Woods, an esteemed lobbyist, honorable veteran, and self-described political hack whose limitless passion for the Commonwealth had an impact on countless lives; 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 Michael Wayne Woods as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.