Bill Text: VA SJR91 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable John Howson Rust, Jr.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-4)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-14 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ91ER) [SJR91 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SJR91-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable John Howson Rust, Jr., of the City of Fairfax, who served the Commonwealth as a member of the House of Delegates, died on December 30, 2021; and
WHEREAS, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, John "Jack" Rust earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, where he served on the board of editors of the Virginia Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif; and
WHEREAS, after serving his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War, Jack Rust returned to Fairfax where he pursued a career as an attorney with the family law firm, Rust & Rust; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States; he also followed in his father's footsteps when he served as the Fairfax city attorney; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Jack Rust ran for and was elected to the House of Delegates in 1979; he served from 1980 to 1982, then later won a special election and represented the 37th District from 1997 to 2002; and
WHEREAS, during his time in the House of Delegates, Jack Rust became one of Virginia's most influential lawmakers; he was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Treasurers' Association and received Tech Ten Legislator, Business Leader of the Year, and Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Chamber Champion awards; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust introduced many important pieces of legislation to benefit his constituents and all Virginians, and he offered his expertise to his colleagues during the biennial redistricting process after the 2000 United States Census; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his service with the House of Delegates, Jack Rust served terms on the Virginia State Board of Elections and the Virginia Resource Authority and was the commissioner of accounts for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust worked diligently to build bipartisan consensus and mutual respect, and throughout his career, he was a trusted mentor to countless young lawyers, advocates, and state officials, all of whom admired his deep knowledge of the law, tireless work ethic, and dazzling creativity; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust had a keen business mind and helped establish numerous thriving enterprises, including two community banks and many other small businesses and joint ventures; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust's long and distinguished service to friends and family, his community, and the Commonwealth was characterized by honesty, integrity, wit, and grace; and
WHEREAS, Jack Rust will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of more than 51 years, Sue; his children, J.W., Tom, and Bob, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 the Honorable John Howson Rust, Jr., an accomplished public servant and a distinguished Virginian; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable John Howson Rust, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
