SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36
(By Senators Tomblin, Mr. President, Anderson, Bailey, Ball,
Boley, Bowman, Buckalew, Chafin, Craigo, Deem, Dittmar, Dugan,
Fanning, Helmick, Hunter, Jackson, Kimble, Love, Macnaughtan,
McKenzie, Minear, Oliverio, Plymale, Prezioso, Ross, Schoonover,
Scott, Sharpe, Snyder, Sprouse, Walker,
White, Wiedebusch and Wooton)

Expressing sadness at the passing of the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., former member and president of the West Virginia Senate, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former justice and chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and distinguished West Virginian.

Whereas, The Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was born April 17, 1926, the son of the late William T. Brotherton, a Charleston grocer, and Kathryn (Slack) Brotherton; and
Whereas, The Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., served his nation with pride and distinction in the United States Navy during World War II; and
Whereas, The Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., received his education at Washington and Lee University, earning (AB)(LLB) degrees. He served the citizens of Kanawha County as an assistant prosecuting attorney. He also was a sole practitioner of law from 1950 until his election to West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals; and
Whereas, On June 17, 1950, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., married Ann J. Caskey, with whom he shared the joy of having three children, Elizabeth A., William T. III, and Laura J.; and
Whereas, The Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1952 and served until 1964. The outstanding leadership ability of the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was recognized during his tenure in the House of Delegates. He served as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary during the 1958 session and as House Majority Leader and chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary from 1960 through 1964; and
Whereas, In 1964, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was elected to the West Virginia Senate, representing the seventeenth senatorial district. Again, the legislative expertise and leadership ability of the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was recognized and utilized. From 1968 to 1970, Senator Brotherton served the Senate as chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From 1970 to 1972, he served, this time in a dual role as Majority Leader and chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary; and
Whereas, In 1972, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., rose to the highest office in the Senate, being elected as the forty-third43rd President of the West Virginia Senate. President Brotherton will long be remembered as a legislative leader who knew and respected the legislative process. As president, his integrity and fairness to his fellow colleagues were never questioned. He served as president through 1980, when he left legislative service, bringing to an end twenty-eight years of devoted public service to the citizens, not only of Kanawha County, but to all of West Virginia; and
Whereas, President Brotherton's love of the legislative process combined with his unquestionable integrity, honesty, fairness and legislative expertise made him a legend in his own time in the marbled halls of the Legislature; and
Whereas, Following his long and honorable service to the citizens of West Virginia as a legislator and legislative leader, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., became involved in the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Commission. During his tenure as chairman of the Sternwheel Regatta Commission, the annual event flourished, becoming Charleston's most memorable festival in the city's history; and
Whereas, In 1984, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., was elected to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. During his tenure on the state's high court, Justice Brotherton served as Chief Justice in 1989 and 1994. Again, the integrity, honesty and fairness of Justice Brotherton was never questioned. His brilliant knowledge of law and constitutional matters was a great asset to the state's high court. Justice Brotherton retired from the court in 1995; and
Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., passed away on Sunday, April 6, 1997, leaving behind a loving family, many cherished friends and colleagues, and a legendary legislative and judicial career; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby expresses its sincere sadness at the passing of tThe Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., former member and president of the West Virginia Senate, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former justice and chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and distinguished West Virginian; and, be it
Further Resolved, That tThe Honorable William T. Brotherton, Jr., will be remembered for his brillantbrilliant legal intellect, his wit and wisdom, his interityintegrity, honesty and fairness, which, if emulated would make West Virginia's government a model for the nation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of the late William T. Brotherton, Jr., former member and president of the West Virginia Senate, former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, former justice and chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and distinguished West Virginian.