SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 13
(By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President) Minard, D. Facemire, Chafin,
Caruth, Barnes, Boley, Bowman, Browning, Deem, Edgell, K.
Facemyer, Fanning, Foster, Green, Guills, Hall, Helmick, Jenkins,
Kessler, Laird, McCabe, Oliverio, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso,
Snyder, Stollings, Sypolt, Unger, Wells, White, Williams and
Yost)
Memorializing the life and public service of the Honorable William
R. Sharpe, Jr., former member of the West Virginia Senate,
dedicated public servant and distinguished West Virginian.
Whereas, William R. Sharpe, Jr., was born in Harrison County,
the son of William R. and Helen Sharpe; and
Whereas, William R. Sharpe, Jr., was married to his beloved
wife, Pauline; and
Whereas, William R. Sharpe, Jr., received his education from
Salem College; West Virginia University; and Montgomery College of
Engineering, Takoma Park, Maryland; and
Whereas, In 1960, the Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr.,
was elected to the West Virginia Senate from the twelfth senatorial
district. He was reelected in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1988,
1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004; and
Whereas, During his tenure in the Senate, the Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr., served as President
pro Tempore of the
Senate during the 70th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, 75th, 76th, 77th
and 78th Legislatures. He served as Majority Whip during the 61st,
62nd, 63rd and 64th Legislatures. He served as chair of the Senate
committee on Energy, Industry and Mining, and served as a member of
the Senate committees on Finance, Agriculture, Banking and
Insurance, Health and Human Resources and Rules. He served as a
member of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human
Resources Accountability, Joint Committee on Government and Finance
and the Commission on Special Investigations. He also served as
Vice Chair of the Joint Commission on Interstate Cooperation. He
served as chair of the Southern Legislative Energy Board and as a
member of the Southern Legislative Conference; and
Whereas, The Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr., decided not to
seek reelection to the West Virginia Senate in 2008, bringing to an
end a long and dedicated career of public service; and
Whereas, Sadly, the Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr., passed
away on Sunday, February 15, 2009, following a long illness. He
leaves behind his sisters, several nieces and nephews and a host of
friends; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby memorializes the life and public
service of the Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr., former member of
the West Virginia Senate, dedicated public servant and distinguished West Virginian; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate expresses its sincere
sadness at the passing of the Honorable William R. Sharpe, Jr., and
remembers his love and devotion to the West Virginia Senate along
with his dedication and commitment to the citizens of the twelfth
senatorial district and the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the family of the late Honorable
William R. Sharpe, Jr.