House Speaker Reminds Delegates 'Public Service is a Privilege'

Posted

This Richmond Beat article was provided by Governor McAuliffe's office.  

By Morgan White

Capital News Service

RICHMOND – As the Virginia House of Delegates convened last week for the General Assembly’s 2015 session, House Speaker William Howell welcomed newly elected delegates, set out the chamber’s goals and reminded legislators of their position as public servants.

“It is said quite often – public service is a privilege. None of us are entitled to the seats we hold in this body,” said Howell, a Republican from Fredericksburg.

He told lawmakers to live up to the standards expected by their constituents.

“Perhaps now more than any time in recent memory, we must be mindful of the trust that our fellow citizens have placed in us – and the expectations, duties and obligations inherent to the positions we hold,” said Howell, who has been a member of the House since 1988 and its presiding officer since 2003.

“Our fellow citizens demand honor, integrity and civility. I would encourage all of us – Republicans and Democrats alike – to renew our commitment to meet those standards.”

Howell’s address came eight days after former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s sentencing for corruption. McDonnell was sentenced to two years in federal prison after being convicted of exchanging the prestige of the governor’s office for $177,000 in loans, vacations and luxury goods from businessman Jonnie Williams Sr.

The House opened with a handful of newly elected members, including Democratic Dels. Joseph Preston of Petersburg and Kathleen Murphy of Fairfax and Republican Del. Todd Pillion of Abingdon.

Also in attendance was Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, who had served seven years in the House as a Democrat, resigned in December after a sex scandal and then won re-election Tuesday as an independent.

Morrissey, 57, was charged with a misdemeanor of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after investigators said he had sex with a 17-year-old receptionist at his law firm, had nude pictures of her on his cellphone and shared them with a friend.

The young woman is now pregnant. She said she did not have sex with Morrissey. Morrissey, who says his phone was hacked, entered an Alford plea. That meant he did not admit wrongdoing but acknowledged there was enough evidence for a conviction.

He was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six months suspended. A work-release arrangement has allowed Morrissey to practice law and campaign for re-election by day and serve his time at night.

On Tuesday, voters in the 74th House District, which includes Charles City County and parts of Henrico County and the city of Richmond, returned Morrissey to the House. Running as an independent, he won 42 percent of the votes in defeating Democrat Kevin Sullivan and Republican Matt Walton.

At the Capitol on Wednesday, Morrissey told reporters he was in it for the long haul as a member of the General Assembly.

“I’m confident in Joe Morrissey and that things will work out exactly the way they’re supposed to, just like the election,” Morrissey said.

delegates-2, featured, house-speaker-william-howell, virginia