Virginia 2025 Regular Session

Virginia House Bill HJR615 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		2025 SESSION
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3		-	ENROLLED
	3	+	INTRODUCED
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	5	+	25106149D
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5	7		HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 615
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	9	+	Offered February 6, 2025
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7	11		Celebrating the life of William H. Brown, Sr.
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9		-	Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 10, 2025
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11		-	Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2025
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	15	+	PatronObenshain
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15	19		WHEREAS, William H. Brown, Sr., an honorable veteran, esteemed law-enforcement officer, and dedicated public servant who made history as the Blacksburg Police Department's first Black police officer and police chief, died on January 24, 2025; and
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17		-	WHEREAS, born in West Virginia and raised in Southwest Virginia, William Bill H. Brown~~, Sr.,~~ graduated from the historic Christiansburg Institute in 1966 before serving his country with honor and distinction for two years in Vietnam as a member of the 9th Infantry Division of the United States Army, during which time he obtained the rank of sergeant; and
	21	+	WHEREAS, born in West Virginia and raised in Southwest Virginia, William Bill Brown graduated from the historic Christiansburg Institute in 1966 before serving his country with honor and distinction for two years in Vietnam as a member of the 9th Infantry Division of the United States Army, during which time he obtained the rank of sergeant; and
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19	23		WHEREAS, Bill Brown joined the Blacksburg Police Department in 1970, broke barriers as the first Black police officer to serve in the New River Valley, and quickly rose through the ranks; and
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21	25		WHEREAS, Bill Brown earned a bachelor's degree in human resources management from Bluefield College, attended the FBI National Academy at Quantico, and was subsequently appointed chief of the Blacksburg Police Department in 1994, a position he held until his retirement from the force in 2006; and
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23	27		WHEREAS, over his tenure as chief of the Blacksburg Police Department, Bill Brown was instrumental in modernizing the department and enhancing its ability to both protect and serve the community; and
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25	29		WHEREAS, Bill Brown advanced the law-enforcement profession through leadership positions with a number of organizations, boards, and commissions, including the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Blue Ridge Association of Chiefs of Police, and the governing council of the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem; and
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27	31		WHEREAS, Bill Brown made history again in 2008 when he became the first Black person elected to serve on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors; and
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29	33		WHEREAS, over two terms on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, including time as chair, Bill Brown was indefatigable in his efforts to promote the health, prosperity, and well-being of the locality and its residents; and
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31	35		WHEREAS, as a testament to his impact on the Montgomery County community, Bill Brown was presented various prestigious awards over the years by several notable organizations, such as the American Legion Post 182 and the Rotary Club of Christiansburg-Blacksburg; and
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33	37		WHEREAS, in recognition of Bill Brown's accomplishments as a leader of and mentor to his fellow officers, the Blacksburg Police Department named its new police station the William H. Brown Building in his honor in 2022; and
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35	39		WHEREAS, Bill Brown will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Rebecca; his children, Patricia, William, Jr., Michael, and Timothy, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
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37	41		RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William H. Brown, Sr., a beloved member of the Montgomery County community whose positivity, integrity, and legacy of service inspired all who knew him; and, be it
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39	43		RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William H. Brown, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.