VCC Magazine Fall 2017

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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2017
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In the early 80s, I got a great
job leading a disability advocacy
o r g a n i z a t i o n — H a n d i c a p s
Unlimited of Virginia. One of my
new duties was the coordination
of grass roots advocacy in
support of a bill introduced by
then Governor Charles Robb. It
was the most advanced disability
rights legislation heard by any
state government at that time and
generated significant debate.
As a rookie in the legislative process, I had daily
problems remembering the “R’s” and “D’s” of the process
while dealing with what had been “PBI’d”, and discerning
the meaning of bills on green, blue, and yellow paper—yes,
paper was big!
E. Hatcher Crenshaw, Jr.
October 14, 2017 • Virginia House of Delegates, 1986-1989
By Jim Rothrock
One of the highlights of this frustrating, but exciting,
time was the kindness and good humor shared with me and
so many others by Delegate Hatcher Crenshaw. Even with his
busy schedule, he met all with a ready smile, and to me, he
was always glad to offer a tutorial on what I was witnessing.
One day he was chatting about what he could do to
“better my cause.” He looked around the House chamber
area and saw that if anyone became ill, there was no
wheelchair that could be used in case of emergency. It was
not necessarily a major task he wished to accept, but it was a
step—though small—in the right direction.
Somehow he found, to his delight, an old wheelchair,
l think from his basement, cleaned it up and brought
it to the GAB. But he was not satisfied. He called me to
his office and asked if I would approve—as if I had any
authority—his final product. Somehow he had located a big
state seal, suitable for any door, and successfully duct taped
it to the back of the chair. The next day he presented it to his
colleagues during the Morning Hour and proclaimed it as
the “ Official Wheelchair of the Commonwealth.”
His accomplishment was one of many that
came—though not as much fun—and after a year of study,
the bill passed.
Oh, that we had more like Delegate Hatcher Crenshaw!
James A. Rothrock is the Commissioner of the Department
for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
Tazewell County is working hard
to help diversity and attract hi-
tech companies to our region.
We are now, more than ever,
“Open for Business.”
• Aggressive Business
Assistance
• Pro-Business Environment
• Enterprise Zone
• Workforce Training
• Competitive Utility Rates
• Abundant Natural Resources
• Affordable Land
• Safe and Economical Place
to Live
• Excellent Quality of Life
Where Technology
exists with Nature
V
In Memoriam