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SJ64 • 2026

Celebrating the life of Joseph Franklin Viar.

Celebrating the life of Joseph Franklin Viar.

Technology
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Surovell
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation includes details about Joseph Franklin Viar's life that are supported by the bill text, but some specific actions and acknowledgments beyond recognition are not detailed in the official source.

Celebrating the Life of Joseph Franklin Viar

This legislation celebrates and honors the life of Joseph Franklin Viar, a respected leader in information technology and community philanthropist.

What This Bill Does

  • Recognizes the death of Joseph Franklin Viar with sadness.
  • Highlights his achievements as an IT leader and CEO of Viar & Company.
  • Acknowledges his philanthropic work after retirement.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Joseph Franklin Viar's family
  • The people of Mount Vernon, Virginia

Terms To Know

WHEREAS
A clause used to introduce facts or reasons that support the resolution.
RESOLVED
A statement expressing a formal decision or opinion by the General Assembly.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide specific actions beyond recognizing Joseph Franklin Viar's contributions and death.
  • It is unclear what form of presentation will be given to Mr. Viar’s family.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ64ER)

  2. 2026-02-02 House

    Agreed to by House

  3. 2026-01-30 House

    Received

  4. 2026-01-30 House

    Laid on Speaker's table

  5. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate

  6. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Presented 26101595D

  7. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Celebrating the life of Joseph Franklin Viar.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Celebrating the life of Joseph Franklin Viar.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2026
WHEREAS, Joseph Franklin Viar, a respected leader in the information technology sector and a highly admired member of the Mount Vernon community, died on November 4, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Joseph “Joe” Viar grew up in Lynchburg and graduated from E.C. Glass High School; he subsequently earned a bachelor's degree from Hampden-Sydney College, where he forged lifelong friendships; and
WHEREAS, Joe Viar pursued a career in information technology and made visionary contributions to the industry as chief executive officer of Viar & Company in Alexandria for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, Joe Viar served many notable clients, including state agencies in the Commonwealth, the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; he was well known for his loyalty to his employees, integrity, and commitment to excellence; and
WHEREAS, after selling Viar & Company to DynCorp International, Joe Viar retired at age 50 and focused on philanthropy; he provided his leadership and expertise to the Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees and the Hampden-Sydney College Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, Joe Viar was also an avid fisherman and an accomplished world traveler who explored the United States from the Florida Keys to Alaska and visited Russia, China, Africa, Seychelles, and Cuba; and
WHEREAS, Joe Viar will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his partner of 35 years, Bonnie; his daughters, Lisa and Amy, and their families, including their mother, Penny; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Joseph Franklin Viar; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Joseph Franklin Viar as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.