[Note: We would like to thank Speaker Howell for his long-time support of the YRFV and our ongoing YR development efforts in Stafford, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania.]
William J. Howell
Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates
On January 8, 2003, Bill Howell was sworn in as the 54th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. He leads a nearly 400-year old institution, which is the "oldest continuous law-making body in the New World." First elected a delegate in 1987, he represents the residents of the 28th House District, which includes parts of Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
Speaker Howell performs a number of important duties as presiding officer of the 100-member chamber. He appoints the chairman of each of the 14 House standing committees, and all other delegates who serve on them. He names delegates to all House-Senate conference committees, including for the state budget. The Speaker also assigns all bills to House committees, approves out-of-state travel requests for delegates, and names lawmakers and citizens to various boards and commissions. In addition, Speaker Howell is chairman of the House Rules Committee as well as the Joint Rules Committee whose House and State Senate members set administrative policy for the Virginia General Assembly and other legislative branch agencies.
As leader of Virginia’s governing majority in the House, Howell is spearheading a broad-based effort to reform state government in a forward-looking and fiscally responsible manner. He established and chairs the Virginia Reform Initiative (VRI), a nonprofit education and advocacy organization. A top priority for VRI is promoting new ideas and market-based reforms to improve the delivery of core state government services, maximize the return on investment of taxpayer dollars and minimize the costs of government wherever possible.
A student of history, Howell is a member of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, whose mission is to educate and promote understanding and awareness of Virginia’s role in the creation of the United States of America. Speaker Howell also is very much involved with organizing Virginia’s statewide observance in 2007 of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America.
Bill Howell is active and involved in many legislative, business and community organizations.
Prior to being elected speaker, Howell served as chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee, and led the Virginia Code Commission. The Civil War Preservation Trust honored him as the 2005 recipient of their State Leadership Award for his efforts in promoting land preservation tax credits, which put free-market tools to work for open spaces land conservation. Since 2003, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the nation’s largest bipartisan, individual membership association of state legislators. In 2001, ALEC honored Howell as State Legislator of the Year. In addition, business and civic groups have benefited from Howell’s life-long commitment to public service. He is a director on the board of Virginia Heartland Bank, a former director of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, a former president and campaign chairman of the Rappahannock United Way, and a past vice-chair of the board of directors of Mary Washington Hospital. Howell also has been active in and a strong supporter of Young Life, a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and preparing them for the future.
Howell earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1967. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond in 1964. The University of Richmond Alumni Association honored Howell in 2005 by presenting him their Distinguished Service Award.
A citizen-legislator, Bill Howell is an attorney who practices trust and estate law in a log cabin he restored that overlooks the Rappahannock River in historic Falmouth. He and his wife, Cessie, have been married for 39 years, have two sons, and enjoy six wonderful grandchildren. Howell was born May 8, 1943. Please visit the Speaker at: www.billhowell.us
I think that MR Howell should talk about how the Liberals that want to do away with the bush tax cut's and not make the Estate tax perment. Is bad for Virginia and all States. Since he does Will's and estates and trust. He should know how if the tax cut's and Estate tax is not taking away for good will make it hard to keep the money and assets they work hard to get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: John Monet | May 04, 2008 at 11:09 PM