2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 656

Celebrating the life of George E. Banks.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2025

WHEREAS, George E. Banks, a trailblazing public servant who broke down barriers as the first Black member of the Front Royal Town Council and the first Black mayor of Front Royal, died on January 13, 2022; and

WHEREAS, George Banks was born in Madison and graduated from George Washington Carver Regional High School; he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army, then settled in Front Royal to raise his family; and

WHEREAS, shortly after moving to Front Royal, George Banks enjoyed listening to Front Royal Town Council meetings on a local radio station, then began attending meetings in person and developing a passion for community service and civic leadership; and

WHEREAS, George Banks ran for and was originally elected to the Front Royal Town Council to fill the remainder of an unexpired term in 1977; he subsequently won reelection to three additional terms in 1978, 1982, and 1994; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Front Royal Town Council, George Banks proudly led efforts to extend water lines into neighboring counties to help attract new business development in the area; he also oversaw youth recreational programs and helped create several new ball parks at Bing Crosby Stadium; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, George Banks ran for mayor and swept every precinct to win by a landslide; two years later, he ran unopposed to secure his second term; and

WHEREAS, as mayor, George Banks established another water line to the Northern Virginia 4-H Center and guided the revitalization of several areas in Front Royal, acquiring grant money to refurbish homes and make improvements to water and sewer lines, curbs and gutters, and sidewalks; and

WHEREAS, George Banks oversaw the selection of Front Royal as the site of the Northwestern Community Services Center, which provided services to individuals with mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse issues; and

WHEREAS, George Banks was highly admired for commonsense solutions to problems and a collaborative leadership style, and local residents often called him for his wise counsel and insights even after he retired from public office; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of George Banks' incredible contributions to the community, the Front Royal Town Council renamed Scranton Avenue and a portion of Edgemont Avenue as George Banks Boulevard; and

WHEREAS, George Banks will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Cornelia; his children, Tony and Stephanie, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of George E. Banks, a pillar of the Front Royal community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of George E. Banks as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.