qm_summer

irginia

apitol

onnections

, S

ummer

2015

The Maverick

By Susan Clarke Shaar

We all have people who come into our

lives at different times and make a major

impact. Some move on and others remain.

Little did I know that Senator Dudley J.

“Buzz” Emick would be such a person

when he first strolled into the Senate

Clerk’s Office after his election to the

Senate in 1976.

Buzz grew up in Roanoke with three

brothers and a sister. From all accounts

he ran the show. His brother Mark (the

youngest) told the story that he was the

one who polished Buzz’s VPI cadet brass buckles, ran to get his

socks and got paid a quarter for all that work. According to Mark,

Buzz was fiscally cheap even then.

In the 7th and 8th grades, Buzz suffered rheumatic fever and

could not attend school. It was during this time that he developed

his love of reading. He read profusely often having two or three

books going at one time. He loved history and biographies of people

from all walks of life. He also read the classics and philosophy. He

delighted in discussions on just about any topic and could certainly

argue with the best. I can remember him standing to debate in the

Senate. He would get his microphone set just right, clasp his hands

behind his back and proceed to demolish the opposition.

Buzz’s love of baseball was something that carried through his

life. During the time he had rheumatic fever, he would carry on

imaginary baseball games. He would announce the action while his

brother Steve performed the action outside the window in the alley.

His love of announcing led him serve as the announcer for the Lord

Botetourt High School football team for thirty years.

His love of baseball followed him during his military service.

His commanding officer found out he was a good high school

player and assigned him the duty of coaching the ball team on the

base. This allowed him to travel through Europe coaching and

playing ball.

After military service Buzz returned to Virginia and entered

T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. He

then returned to Botetourt County and started practicing law with

Stuart Carter. Stuart Carter had been a member of the Senate and

was a prominent member of the debate over desegregation. He

encouraged Buzz to enter politics.

Buzz served as a member of the House from 1972-1974. No

one expected him to beat Senator Dave Thornton in 1976, but the

Emick clan took on the challenge going door to door and he won.

He gave credit to the determined work of family and friends and

meeting people face to face.

During his time in the Senate Buzz became known as a

maverick. He was willing to take on the more senior members such

as Ed Willey, Hunter Andrews and Joe Gartlan. He would show up

in committee, especially Courts of Justice with his dark glasses

and cowboy hat and would not hesitate to take on the guys in the

“Brooks Brothers suits.” Right before he left the Senate I found out

that one of his favorite hiding place when everyone was looking for

him was the reading room in the State Library!

Buzz was considered a highly effective legislator, willing to

ask the hard questions. He was tenacious in his work and diligently

worked to keep up with the hundreds of bills. He formed a coalition

with Senator Danny Bird, Delegates Dickie Cranwell, Vic Thomas

and Chip Woodrum to serve the people of Southwest Virginia. It

was a coalition that was well-respected and got the job done.

In Memoriam

Buzz loved his family and gave nicknames to family and

friends. As his daughter Leigh said at the service, “Everyone had

to have a nickname – family, friends, friends of friends.” He loved

to hold court with the young people.

Buzz Emick encouraged the next generation of leaders. One

of our former Senate pages, Taylor Holland, told me at the service

that the one thing he remembered about Senator Emick was that he

was genuinely interested in what the pages thought. Taylor said,

“He would look you in the eye and really listen to what you said,

and he would talk to different pages every day. He was not aloof

with us.”

I also think he encouraged women to seek their dreams. When

he approached me about the Clerk’s position in 1990 I turned him

down. Then he explained why he thought I would do a great job.

I honestly had not thought of myself in that role. I went home and

discussed it with my family, called him back and agreed to run. His

response was “I will take care of the rest.” He did.

Thanks to Buzz Emick and his trust in me, I have had an

amazing career that I never envisioned. He felt strongly that women

should have the opportunity to succeed. I could never thank him

enough for the faith he had in me or the counsel he has given me

over the years. He was tenacious – a fighter – a scholar – a man of

integrity and strong convictions who cared for those less fortunate

– a traveler – a maverick – thrifty and frugal – a husband, father

and Papaw.

I literally paused with my mouth open the day he stood up

and announced, “I will neither seek nor shall I accept my party’s

nomination for the Twenty-second Senatorial District. It’s been

real. “ and walked out of the chamber. That day we lost a powerful

force in the Senate.

The people of Southwest Virginia lost a true champion.

I was fortunate, I still had a friend and a mentor. One I truly

miss today.

Susan Clarke Schaar is Clerk of the Senate of Virginia.

Frank Hall

By Felix Sarfo-Kantanka, Jr.

Many people will remember Frank Hall for the great man

that he was…a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, a

caring brother, a talented lawyer, a respected businessman, and an

outstanding legislator. I remember him as my mentor.

Nearly fifteen years ago I took my first position in government

relations serving as Delegate Hall’s legislative assistant. Through

him I learned about the importance of good government, the

intricacies of politics, and the humility one must possess to become

a great public servant.

I felt honored that Frank would take the time to guide me in

the right direction, and advise me on how to develop my career.

I would certainly not be where I am today if it were not for his

support and assuredness. Frank Hall was a blessing in my life and

because of him we can all call Virginia a better place. He was the

epitome of what a public servant should be and I feel fortunate that

through the years not only was he my boss; he was my friend.

Thank you, Frank Hall, for your friendship, leadership,

generous spirit, and your service to our Commonwealth.

Felix Sarfo-Kantanka, Jr. is the Legislative Director,

Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe.

emick