The Batten School and the Outstanding Virginian Committee have selected retired Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell as the Outstanding Virginian of 2018. A ceremony to honor Howell will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

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Editors note: This excerpt from the Richmond Times Dispatch is posted with permission from the March 7, 2018 story “One House speaker honors another as ‘a special, special man.’” The entire story is available here.

Howell was honored March 7 with resolutions from both the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate citing his recent award as Outstanding Virginian of the Year. He received standing ovations from members of both chambers inside the Virginia State Capital in Richmond. Howell served in the House for 30 years.

The Outstanding Virginian award recognizes “leaders who have made an indelible mark on the commonwealth,” according to the resolutions adopted by both the House and Senate.

Howell’s return to the House was emotional…(Just two months ago), on Jan. 2, a day after Howell officially retired as a state employee, he (had) a heart attack and emergency surgery. “There is life after retirement, though I haven’t found it yet,” Howell quipped during the House ceremony on Wednesday, March 7.

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(Howell at the Speakers chair, opening a session of the Virginia House of Delegates)

(Photos of William J. Howell courtesy of Wikipedia)