Bill Text: VA HJR959 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Robert Franklin Hagans, Jr.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-4)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ959ER) [HJR959 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR959-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert Franklin Hagans, Jr., a skilled attorney and respected judge of the Virginia Beach General District Court who dedicated himself fully to the service of others, died on January 17, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans was born in Norfolk and grew up in Virginia Beach, where he attended the newly integrated Bayside High School; he continued his education at Howard University and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at The College of William & Mary; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans began his legal career as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Norfolk, then worked as an attorney in private practice with his godfather, J. Hugo Madison; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans went on to serve as general counsel for Berkley Citizens Federal Savings and Loan Association, Sentry Federal Savings Bank, and New Atlantic Bank; he also served as a divorce commissioner for the Norfolk Circuit Court for more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans offered his leadership and expertise to numerous professional organizations, including as president of the Old Dominion Bar Association, the Virginia Beach Bar Association, and the South Hampton Roads Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, a champion for education, Robert Hagans served as chair of the Virginia Beach School Board, gaining a reputation as a consensus-maker who strengthened the school district, and was a member of the Norfolk State University Foundation Board and the Norfolk Marine Institute's board of trustees; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans enhanced the quality of life in Virginia Beach as chair of the Virginia Beach Community Services Board and played a vital role in the development of the Virginia Beach Town Center as secretary and commissioner of the Virginia Beach Industrial Development Authority; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans became the first African American man appointed as a judge of Virginia Beach General District Court of the 2nd Judicial District of Virginia on February 25, 2015, and presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hagans will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 34 years, Peggy; his children, Hazel, Meagan, and Robert III; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Robert Franklin Hagans, Jr., a respected attorney and judge who made many contributions to the community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Robert Franklin Hagans, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
