2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 704
Celebrating the life of Collie Burton III.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025
WHEREAS, Collie Burton III, an honorable veteran, respected business executive, champion of civil rights and social justice causes, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a treasured member of the Richmond community, died on November 11, 2024; and
WHEREAS, born in Chesterfield, Collie Burton graduated from the historic D. Webster Davis High School in Ettrick in 1946 before entering Virginia State University (VSU) at the age of 16, where he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps; and
WHEREAS, Collie Burton paused his studies to serve his country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army, supporting reconstruction efforts in Germany and achieving the rank of first lieutenant before ending his commission in 1954; and
WHEREAS, following his service, Collie Burton resumed his studies and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from VSU in 1955 prior to pursuing graduate work at Youngstown State University and the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Collie Burton enjoyed a successful and meaningful career in business that took him to Youngstown, Ohio, Richmond, and New York City before he ultimately retired as the executive director of Chart, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Collie Burton worked tirelessly for the benefit of his community in many capacities, including as associate director of the Richmond Urban League, member of the NAACP and the Richmond Community Action Program, and supporter of the Richmond Tenants Organization; and
WHEREAS, through his work with the Richmond Urban League, Collie Burton played a meaningful role in pushing forward changes to Richmond's voting system in the 1970s, which led to the first Black majority on the Richmond City Council in 1977; and
WHEREAS, as a founding member of the Richmond-based organization Hope in the Cities, now Initiatives of Changes USA, Collie Burton advanced racial reconciliation efforts both locally and globally through various endeavors, including the Healing the Heart of America conference and unity walk in Richmond in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Collie Burton will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Audrey; his children, Jocelyn, Edgar, and Arthur, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Collie Burton III, whose commitment to justice, equality, and the well-being of others left a profound and lasting impact on the Richmond community; 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 Collie Burton III as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.