House Resolution 30

(By Delegates D. Poling, Azinger, Ellem and Border)
[Introduced, Taken Up and Adopted by Unanimous Vote of the House
on Thursday, March 11, 2010]


"Paying tribute to the character, outstanding career and extraordinary public service of the late Joseph Paul Albright, a former Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia."

Whereas, The host of friends of Joseph Paul Albright throughout West Virginia were shocked and deeply saddened by his death on March 20, 2009, despite the fact that many of them were aware that he had been bearing the tortures of a serious malady for several months.

Joseph P. Albright was born November 8, 1938, in Wood County, the son of M. P. Albright and Catherine A. (Rathbone) Albright.

He received his education in the public schools and graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1956. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating cum laude, and received his law degree from Notre Dame College of Law, where he won the Webber Prize for Appellate Advocacy and served as a member of the Notre Dame Law Review.

He married Patricia A. Deem in 1958, and they had four children: Terri Albright Cavi, Dr. Lettie Albright Muckley, Joseph P. Albright, Jr., and John Patrick Albright. Joe and Patty lost their youngest, John, to illness at the young age of 17, and later Patty succumbed to the same disease.

In 1995, he married Nancie Gensert Divvens, inheriting her three daughters and their families: Susan Divvens Bowman, Deborah Divvens Rake and Sandra Divvens Fox.

A life-long member of Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, he was a devotee of the Tridentine Latin Mass and worked tirelessly to save the traditional ornaments and interior decor of his parish church from the hand of destruction by an eager and determined pastor. Joe won - and the parish benefitted from his determined dedication to preserve a classic jewel. His devotion to his church continued throughout his life.

Joe Albright was an active participant in community affairs, having served as Parkersburg City Solicitor and served on several public and quasi-public boards, including the Parkersburg Charter Board in 1969-70, when a new City Charter was adopted.



An avid supporter of West Virginia University, particularly the WVU College of Law, he posthumously received the 2009 Justitia Officium Award, which is the highest honor the College of Law can bestow upon an individual.

A Democrat politically, his views and recommendations were sought and highly rated in the councils of his party. Joe Albright practiced law in Parkersburg and surrounding counties from 1962 until September, 1995, when he was appointed by then-Governor Gaston Caperton to an unexpired term on the Supreme Court of Appeals. He served on the Court through December, 1996 and then resumed his law practice in Parkersburg. He was elected to a full twelve-year term of the Court in 2000, and served as Chief Justice in 2005. A competent and trustworthy counselor, he was always faithful to the interests of his clients. Both in the practice of law and as a Justice of the Supreme Court, he adhered strictly to the high ethical standards and traditions of the legal profession.

The public service of Joseph P. Albright encompassed a wide range of activity. He served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Wood County and former City Attorney for the City of Parkersburg. He was elected to the House of Delegates in 1970, and to six more terms commencing in 1974. He served as Chairman of the House Education Committee in 1977-78, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1979 to 1984. In 1984, Joseph Paul Albright was elected as the 52^nd Speaker of the House, a position he held with distinction and honor.

As a legislator, he was competent and informed, possessing a keen knowledge and understanding of the legislative process, legislative programs and legislative problems. His grasp of the educational problems facing the State in light of a judicial ruling was phenomenal. He was thoroughly informed as to the purpose and effect of proposed legislation, and he worked with a devotion and ingenuity that set a record for personal fidelity and individual enterprise and achievement. During his legislative service, he strove for the enactment of laws that would contribute to West Virginia being a better and more prosperous State, and he was the driving force behind the creation of the Blennerhasset Historical State Park and Museum.

Those who served with him never for a moment lost the feeling of being in the presence of a great and good man, whether they had his agreement or his opposition. His knowledge of parliamentary rules and concepts only enhanced his love of discussing the journey of the House as he led it, and he never faltered at seeking the benefit of counsel of the Parliamentarian even though his knowledge was sound. His parliamentary rulings were fair and just - as he was in life.

Undoubtedly, history will chronicle Joseph Albright as one of the great Speakers of all time. Certainly few men in the history of West Virginia have matched his brilliance, courage, leadership and accomplishments. He was courteous and considerate, gave wise counsel, observed rigid standards of integrity and principles, and was conciliatory and mutually just in negotiation. Among the great attributes of this distinguished Speaker were compassion, fairness, wise counsel, integrity and impartiality. He did not arbitrarily use his power as Speaker, instead, when necessary, he used his power of persuasion.

As Speaker, he served both his constituencies - the people back home and the members of the House of Delegates - with patience and loyalty.

Regardless of the power of the Speakership, he accepted for himself with reverence and punctiliousness what may be called the rule of the democratic process.

Some one hundred eighty-seven years ago Henry Clay, one of the greatest Speakers in ths history of the United States Congress, on the qualities needed for the Speakership, said this:

"They enjoin promptitude and impartiality in deciding the various questions of order as they arise; firmness and dignity in his deportment toward the House; patience, good temper, and courtesy toward the individual members, and the best arrangement and distribution of the talent of the House, in its numerous subdivisions, for the dispatch of the public business, and the fair exhibition of every subject presented for consideration. They especially require of him, in those moments of agitation from which no deliberative assembly is always entirely exempt, to remain cool and unshaken amidst all the storms of debate, carefully guarding the preservation of the permanent laws and rules of the House from being sacrificed to temporary passions, prejudices, or interests."

No man in the galaxy of Speakers in the several states has excelled Joseph Albright in the qualities prescribed by Clay. He graphically portrayed an innate possession of these qualities as Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Joe Albright loved Parkersburg, his home; West Virginia, his State; and, above all, as the loyal patriot he was, he fully loved his country.

An unassuming, friendly and serious man, he was as real as the mountains from whence he came and as the down to earth people who were his neighbors and friends. He was a man of true dignity, unsullied by pomp and bluster, a man of warmth and understanding.

Those who knew this patriotic and humanely concerned citizen cherish the moments they shared with him. This solid giant has left a legacy of good works, faith in people and nobility of purpose. Present and future legislators may draw inspiration from this man and his record.

In the Book of Psalms, we find "The righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance." The life of Joseph Paul Albright, even though it was unfortunately short, but filled with good works and able and unselfish service to his country, State, and fellowmen, will live in everlasting remembrance; therefore, be it







Resolved by the House of Delegates of the West Virginia Legislature, in solemn assembly:

That this House of Delegates deplores the untimely demise of former Speaker Joseph P. Albright, extols his distinguished and enviable record of public service, lauds his high character and lofty principles, recognizes the terrific grief being suffered by his family as a result of the loss of a beloved husband, father, stepfather and friend; and hereby conveys to the family the genuine sympathy of the individual members of the House of Delegates of the 79^th West Virginia Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare certified copies of this resolution for his wife, Nancie Albright; for his children and stepchildren Terri Albright Cavi, Dr. Lettie Albright Muckley, Joseph P. Albright, Jr., Susan Divvens Bowman, Deborah Divvens Rake and Sandra Divvens Fox; and for the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals, for preservation in the archives thereof.