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Virginia Capitol Connections , Winter 2013 29
In Memoriam
Senator Hopkins
By Chip Woodrum
I cannot express my sense of loss. Bill
Hopkins was a man who believed in giving
of himself to his community, his state and
his nation. He fought in two wars, had an
outstanding legal career, served his state and
Roanoke as a State Senator for 20 years and
when that service ended, moved seamlessly
into service to his community. When you
pass Carilion Hospital, remember that
it was he who forged its original links with UVA Hospital. When
you see a revitalized downtown, remember he was one of those who
got Center in the Square off the ground. He authored two books (on
Korea and on WWII). Bill Hopkins was a true renaissance man. His
presence made us better, his loss diminishes us. Well done, Bill. God
Bless you.
Tribute To Delegate Joseph
William “Billy” O’Brien
By Bernie Henderson
The overwhelming majority of those
who serve in the General Assembly serve
conscientiously, diligently and even
sacrificially. The harsh reality is that the
service of very few of them is remembered
beyond the time of their contemporaries.
In a few rare cases, their names might be
given to a bridge or building or park, but
even then the reason for such a distinction
becomes obscured by time. While it takes a
bit of an ego to run for public office, a quest
for immortality might be better pursued in ways other than serving in
the Virginia General Assembly. Rather than immortality, the greatest
accomplishment to be achieved through serving in the General
Assembly is to lead the cause for something that will substantially
benefit the Commonwealth long after your final term and your name
recognition has expired. Delegate and Coach Joseph William “Billy”
O’Brien scored on that play.
Some wise person observed that the most significant change always
is born in a minority report. In other words, great ideas usually are not
immediately accepted by the majority— they take time to be accepted.
Billy obviously realized that, because he was the first legislator in
modern times to propose and tenaciously advocate for a lottery for years
until it was implemented. When he proposed it, first came laughter,
then derision, then pontification, but ultimately it was enacted. He
assiduously made his case, year after year, patiently inviting and always
welcoming the skeptical, the timid, the self-righteous and even perhaps
one or two hypocrites onto the pro-lottery team he was so adroitly
coaching. He saw his idea as being good at the time and patiently waited
for it to be seen as good for the future, no matter how long it would take.
There are very few legislators, even among those who served for many
decades, who can be recognized as the prime persistent promoter of a
major successful program like the Virginia lottery.
But Billy wasn’t just about the lottery. He brought with him to the
GeneralAssembly theperspectiveof a talented (meaningcompassionate
and resourceful) coach. It is no accident that high school athletes have a
lifetime love for a good coach. A coach cannot be successful unless he
is willing and able to reach deeply and meaningfully into every aspect
of the life of each member of his team. If there is anything bothering
a player, the good coach will not stop until he identifies it and then
effectively addresses it—no wonder so many high school athletes hold
their coach in such high esteem. It’s the same as the parable of the
shepherd who responsibly watches all the sheep but will rescue and
care for each one individually when that is needed. That’s how Billy
served his constituents; he was attuned to their needs and never quit
trying to do everything within his ability to address them. His service
as a representative defined the word “tenacity.”
Billy was one of the kindest and friendliest persons who ever held
elective office. No matter what or when, he offered a sincere smile, a
warm pat on the back, a compassionate hand on your shoulder and a
kind word to everyone he met.
Virginia can never have enough public servants like Billy O’Brien
and even those who never knew himwill be benefitting from his service
long after his time in the Capitol and in our world has ended.
John W. Russell
State Senator and
City of Fairfax Mayor By Michael E. Belefski
Former State Senator JohnW. Russell of
the City of Fairfax, passed away at his home
surrounded by his family on December 24,
2012. He was 89.
John had retired from the Department of
Defense where he worked as an Intelligence
Officer. He had also served his community
as Fairfax City Councilman and Fairfax City
Mayor.
Fairfax Mayor Scott Silverthorne noted
that John Russell has the unique distinction
of serving two separate times in two
separate decades as mayor of the City.
“John Russell defeated my father for his third term as mayor in
1982 by 148 votes. Later in their lives, both men put their partisan
political differences aside and became friends. Mayor Russell was
politically shrewd and had a wicked sense of humor, which my father
seemed to appreciate when they were no longer rivals on the ballot.
What people may not know about Mayor Russell is that he loved the
arts and helped create the Fairfax Art League. I recall seeing many of
his paintings prominently displayed in Fairfax’s Old Town Hall over
the years. The City mourns the loss of one of our senior statesmen”
Mayor Silverthorne said.
As John’s pollster during his campaign for the State Senate in
1983, I remember our campaign as being neck and neck in the last
week of the campaign. We were behind registered voters who were
over 55+ years old and decided to send them a special election-day
mailing which won the election with 50.62% of the vote.
John was also appointed to the state education board by former
governor George Allen and held terms on the Fairfax City school
board and council. He was a long standing member of the Fairfax
United Methodist Church, a Mason, a member of the Optimist Club
and the American Legion.
Former State Senator Jane Woods commented on John Russell’s
passing: “It seems that an era of ‘no nonsense, straight talking’
leaders is closing. John had the gift of sprinkling humor in his
pithy comments while ensuring that his listener understood well
HOPKINS
O’BRIEN
his position and that it was about the topic, not the person. While
sometimes a tad intimidating, John Russell used plain talk as he
walked the walk leading our community and his constituents. I know
he rests in peace.”
RUSSELL
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