Bill Text: VA SJR109 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-4)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-21 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ109ER) [SJR109 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SJR109-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., a philanthropic leader who worked to benefit all Virginians by striving to break down partisan divides and build consensus in government, died on October 3, 2021; and
WHEREAS, born in Detroit, Michigan, Leigh Middleditch received a bachelor's degree from The University of Virginia (UVA), where he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, then served his country as a member of the United States Navy and the United States Navy Reserve; and
WHEREAS, after his active-duty military service, Leigh Middleditch returned to UVA to earn a law degree; he worked for a district court judge and subsequently practiced law with the firms Battle, Neal, Harris, Minor & Williams and McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe (now McGuire Woods), from which he retired in 2018; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished legal career, Leigh Middleditch promoted transparency and accessibility, and he inspired many of his fellow attorneys to place a higher emphasis on pro bono work and public service; and
WHEREAS, a proud and active alumnus of UVA, Leigh Middleditch instructed students at the institution's Law School and School of Business, served as UVA's legal advisor and special counsel during the institution's transition to coeducation, and later became a member of the UVA Board of Visitors; and
WHEREAS, Leigh Middleditch offered his leadership and expertise to a number of other organizations, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, American Bar Association, Virginia State Bar, Virginia Health Care Foundation, UVA Health Services Foundation, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, but he was best known for cofounding the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at UVA; and
WHEREAS, thanks to Leigh Middleditch's visionary leadership, the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership has helped bridge political divides by training dozens of current and former members of the General Assembly and other state and national officials in the arts of negotiation and bipartisan cooperation; and
WHEREAS, Leigh Middleditch also established OneVirginia2021: Virginians for Fair Redistricting, which advocated for a state referendum on independent redistricting reform that passed with overwhelming public support; and
WHEREAS, Leigh Middleditch inspired others through his tireless work effort and humility and served communities throughout the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication and integrity; and
WHEREAS, Leigh Middleditch will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Betty Lou; his children, Katherine, Leigh III, and Andrew, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., an exemplar of good citizenship and servant leadership; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Leigh B. Middleditch, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
