Bill Text: VA HJR4 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Alan Arnold Diamonstein.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-28 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ4ER) [HJR4 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HJR4-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Alan Arnold Diamonstein, a preeminent attorney and a tireless public servant who ably represented the residents of Newport News in the Virginia House of Delegates for 34 years, died on October 17, 2019; and
WHEREAS, a native of Hampton, Alan Diamonstein learned the value of hard work and responsibility at a young age by helping in his grandparents' grocery store and his father's furniture store; his early experiences with anti-Semitism influenced his lifelong commitment to social justice and civil rights; and
WHEREAS, Alan Diamonstein attended Newport News High School and Augusta Military Academy and earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Virginia after completing a tour with the United States Air Force; and
WHEREAS, Alan Diamonstein returned to Hampton Roads and opened a private practice, subsequently becoming a partner in the nationally known law firm Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; specializing in business, real estate, and land-use law, he gained renown for his legal acumen and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Alan Diamonstein was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1967 and represented the residents of Newport News for 17 consecutive terms; and
WHEREAS, Alan Diamonstein introduced and supported numerous important pieces of legislation to benefit all Virginians, had a transformative impact on higher education, and helped establish the Housing Study Commission and the Virginia Housing Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, among his significant achievements, Alan Diamonstein introduced legislation that required the University of Virginia to admit women on the same basis as men in the 1970s and played a vital role in the passage of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and antidiscrimination laws related to housing; and
WHEREAS, Alan Diamonstein offered his wisdom and expertise to the committees on Rules, Appropriations, and General Laws and was a valued source of institutional knowledge during his long tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates; and
WHEREAS, a respected statesman, Alan Diamonstein worked to build bipartisan trust and consensus and significantly increased diversity in state agencies by advocating for women and minority appointees to boards and commissions; he served as a trusted mentor, advisor, and friend to many fellow legislators and other state and local officials; and
WHEREAS, at the national level, Alan Diamonstein represented Virginia on the Democratic National Committee and subsequently became state party chair; he was an advisor to several members of the Carter administration and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the board of the National Housing Partnership; and
WHEREAS, countless organizations and institutions benefited from Alan Diamonstein's visionary leadership, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, the Mariners' Museum, the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation, and many others; most notably, he earned the nickname "Mr. CNU" for his contributions to Christopher Newport University; and
WHEREAS, Alan Diamonstein will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Beverly; his children, Candis, Karen, Trey, and Kevin, and their families; and numerous family members, as well as friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 Alan Arnold Diamonstein, a consummate public servant and a true Virginia gentleman; 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 Alan Arnold Diamonstein as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
