WHEREAS, Peter Easter, a respected government relations executive and civic leader and beloved father, grandfather, husband, friend, and member of the Albemarle County community, died on November 7, 2023; and

WHEREAS, a native of Chicago, Peter Easter graduated from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1956 before earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College four years later; and

WHEREAS, for eight years early in his career, Peter Easter served his country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army Reserves; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter later founded the lobbying and association management company Easter Associates, Inc., operating out of Charlottesville and Richmond, where he helped an untold number of associations better achieve their missions; and

   WHEREAS, Peter Easter was a former executive vice president of the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) and was the 1997 recipient of VSAE's CEO Award of Excellence; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter enjoyed an illustrious 40-year career with Easter Associates representing the interests of his many clients before the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter, among his many legislative achievements, led the effort to allow commercial and private game preserve operators to open on Sundays, paving the way for statewide Sunday hunting, which was subsequently enacted; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his service with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, Peter Easter was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter was respected by governors, cabinet secretaries, and agency heads for his honesty, integrity, congenial manner, and fair representation of his clients; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter gave generously of his time in service to his community, including as chairman of the Albemarle County Planning Commission and as president of the Virginia Hunting Preserve Association; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, Peter Easter led a capital campaign that raised over one million dollars for what is today known as the Charlottesville Band, helping to preserve this treasured institution for the benefit of future generations; and

WHEREAS, Peter Easter and his wife, Carol, purchased Springhaven Farm in Albemarle County in 1962, and he joyfully pursued his passion for training and hunting with English Setter bird dogs there for many years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Carol, Peter Easter will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his spouse, Laney; his children, Deborah, Brooke, and Douglas, 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 Peter Easter, a cherished member of the Albemarle County community whose legacy of service was an inspiration to all who knew him; 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 Peter Easter as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.