SENATE RESOLUTION 69

By Senators Unger, Cole (Mr. President), Carmichael, Ashley, Beach, Blair, Boley, Boso, Cline, Facemire, Ferns, Gaunch, Hall, Karnes, Kirkendoll, Laird, Leonhardt, Maynard, Miller, Mullins, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Romano, Snyder, Stollings, Sypolt, Takubo, Trump, Unger, Walters, Williams, Woelfel and Yost

[Introduced March 12, 2016]

Recognizing the dedicated public service of the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler.

Whereas, The Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of George H. and Rosemary Krupica Kessler; and

Whereas, The Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler attended West Liberty State College and then West Virginia University College of Law; and

Whereas, The Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler was appointed to the West Virginia Legislature in 1997 and thereafter was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1998; and

Whereas, The Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler has continued to serve in the Senate for nineteen years, including eight years as Chair of the Judiciary Committee; and

Whereas, In 2011, the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler was elected as the 50th President of the West Virginia Senate and Lieutenant Governor of the state of West Virginia pursuant to Chapter 6A, Article 1, Section 4 of the West Virginia Code; and

Whereas, In addition to his legislative service, the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler has also served as a municipal court judge, a city solicitor and an assistant prosecuting attorney; and

Whereas, Jeffrey V. Kessler has made a career of public service to the people of Marshall County and of West Virginia, having held many positions of public trust and responsibility, including on the board of directors for the Regional Economic Development Partnership and the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, Through his tireless efforts, Jeffrey V. Kessler has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1998, 1999 and 2001 Senate Perfect Roll Call Attendance Award; 1998 Legislator of the Year Award, YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program; 1999 and 2005 Legislator of the Year Award, West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; 2004 Legislator of the Year Award, West Virginia American Trauma Society; 1994 Marshall County Democrat of the Year Award; 2003 West Virginia Municipal League, Strong Cities Award; 2006 Public Defenders Outstanding Service Award; 2007 Ohio Valley Crime Victims Service Provider Award; Friends of Nursing Award, West Virginia Nurses Association, 2010; American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Legislator of the Year and the West Virginia Nurses Advanced Nurse Practitioner Legislator of the Year awards in 2011; Public Leadership Award from Fairness West Virginia, 2011; Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governor’s Arts Awards; and the Distinguished Community Health Champion Award from the West Virginia Primary Care Association, 2012; and

Whereas, In his career of public service, the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler has steadfastly advocated for his constituents and for the benefit of the people of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler has decided to not seek reelection in 2016, bringing an end to a distinguished career in the West Virginia Senate; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the dedicated public service of the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate expresses its most sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler for his service to the Senate and the people of the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Jeffrey V. Kessler.