Bill Text: VA HJR109 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of John R. Griffith.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-08 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ109ER) [HJR109 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR109-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, John R. Griffith, a highly admired teacher and coach who was a passionate advocate for young people in the Roanoke Valley, died on September 23, 2023; and
WHEREAS, John Griffith was born in Richmond and moved with his family to South Hill, where he graduated from Park View High School; and
WHEREAS, John Griffith subsequently earned degrees from what is now Campbell University and East Carolina University, both in North Carolina, then returned to the Commonwealth and began his career as a biology teacher in Lunenburg County; and
WHEREAS, John Griffith devoted more than 50 years of service to young people as an educator and ultimately retired from Roanoke City Schools in 2014; and
WHEREAS, a champion for youth athletics, John Griffith coached football, basketball, baseball, softball, track, and golf at different points over the course of his distinguished career; and
WHEREAS, John Griffith was a trusted mentor to countless young people, and he inspired them to fulfill their greatest potential both in and out of the classroom, ensuring they had the tools to achieve success in higher education and beyond; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, John Griffith created the Valley Girls Junior Open, a golf tournament for girls 18 and under that has awarded more than $23,000 in scholarships since its inception; and
WHEREAS, John Griffith was also active in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and served as chaplain of Catawba Lodge No. 342 in Fincastle; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Gwendolyn, John Griffith will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Robyn and Kevin, 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 John R. Griffith; 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 John R. Griffith as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
