Speaker Howell Names Delegate Bobby Orrock Chairman of House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee

FROM THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER HOWELL

January 7, 2010

Contact: G. Paul Nardo (804) 698-1228, gpnardo@house.virginia.gov or williamjhowell.org

RICHMOND, VA - In preparation for the upcoming 2010 session of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) has named Delegate Robert D. "Bobby" Orrock, Sr. (R-Caroline) as Chairman of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee. Delegate Orrock had been serving as Vice Chairman of the House Finance Committee and has served on the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee since beginning his service in the House of Delegates in 1990. He previously served as Co-Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in 2001.

"Delegate Orrock combines the legislative experience and policy knowledge of the important issues with a thoughtful and poised temperament necessary to serve as an effective chairman of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee," noted Speaker Howell. "The Committee is deeply involved in a great deal of vital legislation ranging from mental health and foster care services to oversight of health care professionals and hospitals. With two decades of service in the House and on the Committee, Chairman Orrock possesses the valuable understanding of these critical issues and the desire to advance practical solutions that produce real results. He will make a fine leader for this important assignment."

"I look forward to continuing the fine leadership of previous chairmen who have served in this position," remarked Delegate Orrock. "I am firmly committed to ensuring a fair and open process in the committee as legislation is considered. As a public school teacher at Spotsylvania High School, I also am well aware that we must leave Virginia in better shape than we received it, so that the coming generations will have even better opportunities to live, learn, work and raise families."

First elected to the House of Delegates in 1989, Delegate Orrock represents the 54th District, which includes portions of the counties of Caroline and Spotsylvania.

William J. Howell is the 54th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and has led the 100-member chamber since 2003. First elected a delegate in 1987, he represents the 28th House District, which includes parts of Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg. As Speaker, Howell performs a number of duties, including assigning all bills to House committees and appointing the chairs and members of each of the 14 standing committees of the House.

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NOTE: The complete list of all committee assignments will be announced on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, which is the first day of the 2010 Session.