Bill Text: VA HJR334 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Robison Brown James.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ334ER) [HJR334 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR334-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Robison Brown James, a distinguished religious scholar and talented musician who proudly represented the residents of Henrico County in the Virginia House of Delegates, died on February 8, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Robison "Rob" Brown James was born in Dade City, Florida, and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he began to cultivate the deep faith and unwavering sense of optimism that served him well throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, Rob James graduated from the University of Alabama, where he was the first chair trumpet on the Million Dollar Band; and
WHEREAS, Rob James received a Rotary Fellowship to study at the University of Edinburgh from 1955 to 1956, and while returning to the United States aboard the ocean liner Liberté, he met his future wife, Anne; the couple bonded over their passion for music and delighted their fellow passengers by standing in for the ship's band, with him playing trumpet and her playing piano; and
WHEREAS, Rob James worked in church ministry for a year, then matriculated at Duke University to pursue a doctoral degree; he joined the faculty of the University of Richmond in 1962 and taught courses in biblical scholarship, theology, and ethics until his well-earned retirement in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Rob James developed a lifelong academic interest in the works of Paul Tillich and published more than 50 articles and books including Tillich and World Religions in 2003; he also served as president of the North American Paul Tillich Society; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to his community, Rob James ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1975 and represented the residents of Henrico County in what was originally the 34th District and later became the 32nd District after redistricting; and
WHEREAS, Rob James served a total of four terms in the Virginia House of Delegates and relished opportunities to foster strong relationships with his constituents; he introduced and supported many important pieces of legislation to benefit his district and all Virginians; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as a state lawmaker, Rob James authored a pamphlet called "The Ethics of Politics," in which he addressed questions of ethical compromise and the need to account for different viewpoints in a vibrant and healthy democracy; and
WHEREAS, Rob James enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of River Road Baptist Church, and he was a staunch advocate for religious freedom who resisted the fundamentalist movement in the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, outside of his career in education and public service, Rob James honed his musical talents throughout his life; in 1983, he joined a group of fellow University of Richmond professors to form the Doctors of Jazz, with whom he performed for the next 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Rob James will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of 64 years, Anne; his daughters, Sara, Elizabeth, and Susan, 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 the Honorable Robison Brown James, an insightful religious scholar, passionate musician, and dedicated public servant; 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 the Honorable Robison Brown James as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
