HJ740: Commending John Peterson.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 740
Commending John Peterson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2023

 

WHEREAS, John Peterson had a distinguished 40-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, holding positions as director of watershed programs and deputy chief for administration before retiring as assistant chief; and

WHEREAS, during his career in federal government, John Peterson further served the country with over 30 years of active and reserve duty in the United States Army and retired with the rank of colonel; and

WHEREAS, after retirement from federal service, John Peterson served as the executive director of the National Watershed Coalition, where he was the initial drafter and lead champion of the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Act of 2000, the first major U.S. Department of Agriculture water resources legislation passed in over 22 years and the vehicle by which federal funding was provided to several major dam rehabilitation projects in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson held leadership positions in many other conservation organizations, including EnviroCert, the International Erosion Control Association, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson gave much of his time and attention to the wise management of Virginia’s natural resources by serving on the Potomac Council, on the Dam Safety Committee of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and as a Senate appointee to the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson was particularly devoted to the work of Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts, serving as the Commonwealth’s alternate representative to the National Association of Conservation Districts and serving his home district—the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District in Fairfax County—on the board of directors for 16 years through the end of 2022 and as an associate director thereafter; and

WHEREAS, for his exemplary achievements, John Peterson received the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Bobby Wilkinson Outstanding Director Award in 2011, and he was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame in 2012 and national Hall of Distinction in 2022; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson’s lifetime of selfless efforts to advance the cause of resource management at the local, state, national, and international levels should be recognized and applauded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Peterson for his achievements in the stewardship of the nation’s natural resources and his outstanding work on behalf of Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Peterson as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth and the United States.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 740

Offered February 17, 2023
Commending John Peterson.
Patron-- Bulova

WHEREAS, John Peterson had a distinguished 40-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, holding positions as director of watershed programs and deputy chief for administration before retiring as assistant chief; and

WHEREAS, during his career in federal government, John Peterson further served the country with over 30 years of active and reserve duty in the United States Army and retired with the rank of colonel; and

WHEREAS, after retirement from federal service, John Peterson served as the executive director of the National Watershed Coalition, where he was the initial drafter and lead champion of the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Act of 2000, the first major U.S. Department of Agriculture water resources legislation passed in over 22 years and the vehicle by which federal funding was provided to several major dam rehabilitation projects in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson held leadership positions in many other conservation organizations, including EnviroCert, the International Erosion Control Association, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson gave much of his time and attention to the wise management of Virginia’s natural resources by serving on the Potomac Council, on the Dam Safety Committee of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and as a Senate appointee to the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson was particularly devoted to the work of Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts, serving as the Commonwealth’s alternate representative to the National Association of Conservation Districts and serving his home district—the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District in Fairfax County—on the board of directors for 16 years through the end of 2022 and as an associate director thereafter; and

WHEREAS, for his exemplary achievements, John Peterson received the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Bobby Wilkinson Outstanding Director Award in 2011, and he was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame in 2012 and national Hall of Distinction in 2022; and

WHEREAS, John Peterson’s lifetime of selfless efforts to advance the cause of resource management at the local, state, national, and international levels should be recognized and applauded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Peterson for his achievements in the stewardship of the nation’s natural resources and his outstanding work on behalf of Virginia’s soil and water conservation districts; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Peterson as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth and the United States.