House Resolution 42

[Offered on Behalf of All Members of the House]


"In Recognition of the Outstanding Career and Extolling the Unfaltering Service of Rita Watson to the House of Delegates and to the State of West Virginia."

WHEREAS, Rita Watson was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, the daughter of Nellie and Henry Wilson, at a time of great economic difficulty in the United States generally. Rita grew up as a child of six, surrounded by her siblings Ursula, Mary, Jo-Anne, Henry and John. Rita's father died when she was a young child, and her Mother raised the children on her own, assisted, no doubt, by Rita herself. It was during those early and formative years that the core value of service and responsibility we see in Rita today took root.

Rita and her husband William Franklin Watson were married in 1951, and they are the parents of three children: Edwin Watson, Barbara Walker and Patricia Watson. Rita is a grandmother of four: David Humphrey, Kimberly Humphrey, Annie Walker and Evan Walker.

Rita's upbringing, childhood, high school and university education prepared her for what was to evolve into her life's work, characterized by her meticulous care in whatever she does. The story goes that on an early job interview, the applicants were assigned to write a letter to the Fire Marshal and Rita was the only applicant who spelled "Marshal" correctly. She got the job.

Rita Watson has been a dedicated employee of the House Judiciary Committee for forty-two years, beginning her employment with the House in 1966. She has served in the capacity of Secretary, Administrative Secretary, Administrative Assistant and currently as Executive Assistant of the House Judiciary Committee. Eleven Judiciary Chairmen, eight Speakers and three House Clerks have benefitted from her as a valued staff person and as a friend. She has trained countless young attorneys and staff committed to her stern and demanding- yet kind and nurturing- care, and has gently nudged the Chairs of her Committee and the Counsel under her eye to do things correctly. Her watchful eye has saved bills and committee reports from technical deficiency and flaw, and she has walked to the moon and back on trips to the House Clerk's Office to deliver her reports or to make a correction to one of her bills. Once, during the tenure of Speaker Chuck Chambers, she was dutifully delivering an awaited report to the House Clerk while the House was in session. As she walked across the floor, her hand raised in regal gesture for the Speaker to halt the proceedings while she handed the report to the Clerk. The Speaker dutifully complied, and the House was silent.

Rita's territorial approach to the manner in which things are done in her Committee has been because of her love of her life's work and the laws she has helped produce. It would be reasonable to assume that probably half of the verbiage in the West Virginia Code as it currently exists has gone through the hands of Rita Watson in one form or another.



Rita Watson has remained professionally apart from politics, but privately she worked in political activities such as Jim Sprouse for Governor, Lee Kenna for Governor, Kelly Castleberry for County Clerk, for her husband - Bill Watson - for Magistrate, and the Robert F. Kennedy Presidential Campaign.

Rita is a valued member of her community. She has been a Girl Scout Leader, a United Way Volunteer, a Member of the University of Charleston Women Builders, Midland Garden Club Member, Cotillion Dance Club Member, a member of Saint Francis Guild and an ever- present member of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
At the end of the Regular Session, 2007, on March 10 or thereabouts, Rita Watson will retire from active service to the House. She has become an icon and a den mother to thousands of members and staff throughout her long tenure. She has left her mark on those who have benefitted from knowing her and working with her. She has been a constant friend.

The rich history of the institutional House of Delegates would not be what it is today had it not been for Rita Watson; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates, all members concurring herein:

That it is with heartfelt gratitude that the members and staff of the House of Delegates hereby extend congratulations and best wishes for the future to Rita W. Watson upon this momentous occasion of her retirement after forty-two years of service; that the House formally takes note of her incalculable contributions, her unfaltering dedication and love of her work and her Judiciary Committee, and enrolls her as the Executive Assistant Emeritus of the House Judiciary Committee; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a certified copy of this Resolution for presentation to Rita W. Watson on Saturday, March 10, 2007, and that the Clerk of the House also transmit certified copies to William Franklin Watson, Husband; Edwin Watson, Son; Barbara Walker, Daughter; and Patricia Watson, Daughter.