H. R. 31

"Expressing the collective sadness of the members of the House of Delegates concerning the death of the Honorable Joe H. Farris, former member of the House from the County of Kanawha."

WHEREAS, The many friends and colleagues of the Honorable Joe H. Farris were saddened to learn of his passing on the tenth day of August, 1997, and pause to remember his life.
Born on April 14, 1922, in Charleston, West Virginia, he attended the public schools of Kanawha County, received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Morris Harvey College and attended the Graduate College of West Virginia University.
Married to Mary Lou Corey, they had four children: M. Christine Morris, who serves as Chief Counsel to the Minor Committees of the House of Delegates, Joe H. II, G. Corey and David S. (Deceased).
Joe Farris was a man of many facets and wore a coat of many colors. His civic, fraternal and benevolent affiliations included membership in the Charleston Lions Club, having served as Secretary, and he was the recipient of the Lions Sight Foundation Leonard Jarrett Award. He was Past President, Director, of the Charleston Press Club; Past President, Secretary, of the West Virginia Sportscasters Association; Member of the Charleston Distance Run Committee; Member of the Local Draft Board #13, was Past Staff Vice Chairman of the United Fund and was Past Chairman of the Charleston Christmas Parade. He also served others by tirelessly volunteering his time and efforts to the annual Veltrie Thanksgiving Dinner and served his country in the United States Air Force.
Professionally a broadcaster, Joe Farris was a household name among countless West Virginians who followed radio sports. He was an Episcopalian and a man of deep and abiding faith.
He was always interested the political process and availed himself of the opportunity to observe the House first-hand by working on the staff of the Clerk of the House from 1985 to 1990. Joe Farris decided to run for the House as a member from Kanawha County, and was elected in 1990, 1992, 1994 and in 1996. It was in 1991 that "Delegate Joe" took root. He served his constituents well and represented them with valor, honor and distinction. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Banking during the 72nd and the First Session of the 73rd Legislatures. Always an advocate of good government, Delegate Joe saw and understood the complexities of the Legislature, but he always held the people he was elected to serve as foremost in his legislative career. He was a particular friend, supporter and admirer of the House staff, and firmly believed that an institution is only as good as those who work for it. Delegate Joe belor it.eiieved and procalaimed that ththe makeup H He strived for perfection, understood human limits and frailties, advocated professionalism at all levels of government and fearlessly upheld the notion of building for the future.
Delegate Joe's notion of professionalism led to his involvement with legislative professional development seminars and meetings, and it was during the close of the 1997 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Philadelphia that his earthly life ended; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the members of the House of Delegates of the 73rd Legislature hereby publicly note the life, accomplishments, service and friendship of a devoted and esteemed colleague; that sadness is hereby expressed upon his passing and that we hereby acknowledge that Delegate Joe remains with those of us who knew him; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare certified copies of this resolution for Mary Lou Farris, his wife; Christie Morris, Joe H. Farris II, G. Corey Farris, his children; and for Helen Farris, his surviving sister.