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SJ 374

Celebrating the life of Joseph Lee Dean McClellan.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds and 1 co-sponsor

Ceremonial Senate Joint Resolution honoring Joseph Lee Dean McClellan for his life, community service, and pioneering Nelson County telecom; expresses condolences and respect.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ374ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 374

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution No. 374 (SJ374ER)

Overview

  • Title: Celebrating the life of Joseph Lee Dean McClellan
  • Type: Senate Joint Resolution (ceremonial; commemorative)
  • Status: Enrolled version SJ374ER; agreed to by the Senate (Feb 19, 2025) and House of Delegates (Feb 20, 2025); introduced Feb 13, 2025
  • Patronage: Senators Deeds; Delegate Laufer
  • Purpose: Honor and commemorate the life, accomplishments, and community contributions of Joseph Lee Dean McClellan, also known as Joe Lee, who died January 29, 2025. The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s respect and presents a copy to his family.

Purpose and intent

  • The primary purpose is ceremonial recognition of an individual who had a significant impact on Nelson County, Virginia, through entrepreneurship, telecommunications leadership, and community service.
  • It serves as an official expression of the General Assembly’s condolences and respect.

Key provisions and content

  • Recitals (WHEREAS clauses) provide a biographical narrative of Joe Lee Dean McClellan:
    • Early life: Grew up in Arlington; spent part of World War II era with grandparents in southern Georgia.
    • Local ties: Became involved in Lovingston/Nelson County after his father purchased the Nelson Movie Theater; active in Boy Scouts, camping at Lake Monocan; Nelson County High School alumnus; attended the University of Virginia (photographer for the Cavalier Daily).
    • Military service: Drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War; served as a medic and military police officer; handled newsreels/movies for troops abroad.
    • Business career: Entrepreneur who operated a truck stop, restaurants, grocery stores, a fuel oil distributorship, and various properties.
    • Telecommunications pioneer: Owner of Nelson Cable, instrumental in bringing cable TV, high-speed broadband, and telephone services to rural Nelson County; recognized as an industry leader.
    • Community contributions: Helped establish Blue Ridge Medical Center and the Nelson Center; active in multiple organizations (Calvary Baptist Church, Nelson County Chamber of Commerce, Odd Fellows Lodge, Nelson County Jaycees, Rotary Club, American Legion).
    • Family: Preceded in death by his wife Betty Jane Johnston McClellan and his brother Iwin Arthur McClellan; survived by two daughters (Elizabeth Denise McClellan Carter and Sarah Lee McClellan Holman) and granddaughters; other relatives noted.
  • Resolved statements:
    • The General Assembly notes with great sadness the loss and acknowledges Joe Lee McClellan’s “remarkable life of love, innovation, and dedication to his family and community.”
    • The Clerk of the Senate is directed to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to the family as an expression of respect.

Who is affected

  • Primarily a commemorative act affecting the memory of Joseph Lee Dean McClellan and his family; no substantive policy changes or fiscal provisions are implicated.
  • Local community and organizations cited in the resolution (Nelson County community, Blue Ridge Medical Center, Nelson Center, Nelson Cable, and affiliated civic groups) are acknowledged for historical contributions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 13, 2025
  • Engrossed by Senate: February 19, 2025
  • Agreed to by Senate: February 19, 2025
  • Agreed to by House: February 20, 2025
  • Enrolled: February 21, 2025
  • Version: SJ374ER (Enrolled; final form as passed by both chambers)

Potential impact

  • Symbolic and commemorative impact recognizing local leadership and service.
  • Preserves and publicizes the historical record of Joe Lee McClellan’s contributions to Nelson County and rural Virginia telecommunications and community life.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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