House Resolution 42
[Offered on Behalf of All Members of the House]
"In Recognition of the Outstanding Career and Extolling the
Unfaltering Service of Rita Watson to the House of Delegates and to
the State of West Virginia."
WHEREAS, Rita Watson was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia,
the daughter of Nellie and Henry Wilson, at a time of great economic
difficulty in the United States generally. Rita grew up as a child of six,
surrounded by her siblings Ursula, Mary, Jo-Anne, Henry and John.
Rita's father died when she was a young child, and her Mother raised
the children on her own, assisted, no doubt, by Rita herself. It was
during those early and formative years that the core value of service and
responsibility we see in Rita today took root.
Rita and her husband William Franklin Watson were married in
1951, and they are the parents of three children: Edwin Watson, Barbara
Walker and Patricia Watson. Rita is a grandmother of four: David
Humphrey, Kimberly Humphrey, Annie Walker and Evan Walker.
Rita's upbringing, childhood, high school and university education prepared her for what was to evolve into her life's work, characterized
by her meticulous care in whatever she does. The story goes that on an
early job interview, the applicants were assigned to write a letter to the
Fire Marshal and Rita was the only applicant who spelled "Marshal"
correctly. She got the job.
Rita Watson has been a dedicated employee of the House Judiciary
Committee for forty-two years, beginning her employment with the
House in 1966. She has served in the capacity of Secretary,
Administrative Secretary, Administrative Assistant and currently as
Executive Assistant of the House Judiciary Committee. Eleven
Judiciary Chairmen, eight Speakers and three House Clerks have
benefitted from her as a valued staff person and as a friend. She has
trained countless young attorneys and staff committed to her stern and
demanding- yet kind and nurturing- care, and has gently nudged the
Chairs of her Committee and the Counsel under her eye to do things
correctly. Her watchful eye has saved bills and committee reports from
technical deficiency and flaw, and she has walked to the moon and
back on trips to the House Clerk's Office to deliver her reports or to
make a correction to one of her bills. Once, during the tenure of
Speaker Chuck Chambers, she was dutifully delivering an awaited
report to the House Clerk while the House was in session. As she
walked across the floor, her hand raised in regal gesture for the Speaker to halt the proceedings while she handed the report to the Clerk. The
Speaker dutifully complied, and the House was silent.
Rita's territorial approach to the manner in which things are done
in her Committee has been because of her love of her life's work and the
laws she has helped produce. It would be reasonable to assume that
probably half of the verbiage in the West Virginia Code as it currently
exists has gone through the hands of Rita Watson in one form or
another.
Rita Watson has remained professionally apart from politics, but
privately she worked in political activities such as Jim Sprouse for
Governor, Lee Kenna for Governor, Kelly Castleberry for County Clerk,
for her husband - Bill Watson - for Magistrate, and the Robert F.
Kennedy Presidential Campaign.
Rita is a valued member of her community. She has been a Girl
Scout Leader, a United Way Volunteer, a Member of the University of
Charleston Women Builders, Midland Garden Club Member, Cotillion
Dance Club Member, a member of Saint Francis Guild and an ever-
present member of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
At the end of the Regular Session, 2007, on March 10 or
thereabouts, Rita Watson will retire from active service to the House.
She has become an icon and a den mother to thousands of members and
staff throughout her long tenure. She has left her mark on those who
have benefitted from knowing her and working with her. She has been a
constant friend.
The rich history of the institutional House of Delegates would not
be what it is today had it not been for Rita Watson; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates, all members concurring
herein:
That it is with heartfelt gratitude that the members and staff of the
House of Delegates hereby extend congratulations and best wishes for
the future to Rita W. Watson upon this momentous occasion of her
retirement after forty-two years of service; that the House formally takes
note of her incalculable contributions, her unfaltering dedication and
love of her work and her Judiciary Committee, and enrolls her as the
Executive Assistant Emeritus of the House Judiciary Committee; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a certified copy of this Resolution for presentation to Rita W.
Watson on Saturday, March 10, 2007, and that the Clerk of the House
also transmit certified copies to William Franklin Watson, Husband;
Edwin Watson, Son; Barbara Walker, Daughter; and Patricia Watson,
Daughter.