[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E189-E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING FORMER 16TH HOUSE DISTRICT DELEGATE CLIFTON ALEXANDER ``CHIP'' 
                              WOODRUM III

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2013

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and 
Representative Bob Goodlatte, I am saddened to report the passing of a 
former colleague in the Virginia General Assembly and the grandson of a 
former Member of this body. On February 19, 2013, former 16th House 
District Delegate Clifton Alexander ``Chip'' Woodrum III passed away in 
Naples, FL. A man who was dedicated to serving the Commonwealth and the 
Roanoke Valley. Virginia has lost a great public servant.
  Born on July 23, 1938, in Washington, DC, Chip graduated from 
Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1957. He graduated from 
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961 before 
returning home to the Commonwealth to graduate from the University of 
Virginia Law School in 1964.
  The grandson of former 6th District Congressman Clifton A. Woodrum, 
Chip was a longtime, loyal activist of the Democratic Party, which 
included serving as chairman of the 6th District Democratic Committee 
from 1972-1976 and as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National 
Convention in Miami, Florida.
  Chip was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1979 and 
served in Richmond until 2003. He represented the 16th House District, 
which included Roanoke City and Roanoke County. Among Chip's 
accomplishments in the House of Delegates, he was most proud of 
legislation he sponsored in 1985 to establish the Virginia Birth-
Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program, which covered medical 
bills and other expenses for children who suffer from neurological 
injuries at birth. He also was an advocate for openness and 
transparency in government by increasing access to government meetings 
and public records as the head of the Virginia Freedom of Information 
Advisory Council. Providing a voice for low income families, Chip also 
was a fierce opponent of any deregulation of Virginia's electric 
utilities.
  Upon his retirement from the House of Delegates in 2003, he remained 
active in his community and state by serving on the boards of the 
Library of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society, the Educational 
Foundation of Virginia Western Community College, and Home Town Bank. 
Chip also remained very active in the Democratic Party of Roanoke and 
regularly appeared at campaign events in the city.
  Chip was a skilled, effective, and accomplished legislator. Beginning 
in 1994, I had the pleasure of serving with Chip in the Virginia House 
of Delegates and working with him on many important matters impacting 
our neighboring constituencies in the Roanoke Valley. While we served 
together on opposite sides of the aisle, I fondly remember Chip's sharp 
wit and our many spirited exchanges debating legislation in the House 
of Delegates. He is a good man and will be missed.
  As Representative Goodlatte said, Chip's contributions to the 
Virginia House of Delegates are storied and will not be forgotten.

[[Page E190]]

The Roanoke Valley's many citizens and institutions are thankful that 
he chose public service as the avenue to better his community.
  Representative Goodlatte and I are honored to pay tribute to Chip's 
many contributions to our community, our region, and our nation. He was 
a courageous public servant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his 
wife of almost 50 years, Emily; his children; grandchildren; friends; 
and loved ones. May God give them comfort during this difficult time.

                          ____________________