2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 563
Commending Wayne F. Pryor.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2025
Agreed to by the Senate, February 6, 2025
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor retired as the president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation after more than 18 years of service to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor also served as vice president from December 1998 through November 2006 and has been a member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation's board of directors since 1988; and
WHEREAS, a lifelong Virginian and tireless steward of the land, Wayne F. Pryor is a producer of hay, corn, soybeans, wheat, and beef at his family's Pryoville Farms in Goochland County; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor's impact extends beyond the Commonwealth as he has served as president and chair of the board of Jackson, Mississippi-based Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company and Countryway Insurance Company and as a board member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Agricultural Insurance Company, and American Farm Bureau Insurance Services; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor has served as chairman of the board for the Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, and the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability; he has also served as board president of Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom and has been involved with several key organizations within the agricultural community, including the Virginia Agribusiness Council and Virginia Cattlemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor has led the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation to establish many policies protecting agriculture, including a constitutional amendment safeguarding landowners against illegal expansion of condemnation authority through eminent domain; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor has been recognized by Virginia Business magazine multiple times in its annual Virginia 500 list of the Commonwealth's most influential business, government, and political leaders; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Wayne F. Pryor has received many awards and accolades, including the Virginia Farm Bureau's Eastern District Young Farmer of the Year award early in his career; the organization's Warren Beach Award in 2005, a testament to his commitment to nurturing future leaders in the agriculture industry; and the Honorary American FFA Degree, highlighting his dedication to agricultural education and FFA; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor exemplifies the spirit of service to his community as a 53-year Mason and past master of Cabell Lodge #328; as a life member and volunteer at the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services; and as a board member, elder, and lifelong member of Forest Grove Christian Church in Goochland County; and
WHEREAS, Wayne F. Pryor is married to Pattie, who has been the embodiment of a community leader's spouse throughout his career; she has held a career in nursing and cared for others, while actively advocating for and supporting the agriculture industry; the couple are blessed with one adult son, Stephen, and daughter-in-law, Tish; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Wayne F. Pryor on the occasion of his retirement as president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Wayne F. Pryor as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his impact to agriculture in the Commonwealth.