Former Williamsburg delegate George Grayson diez

Former Williamsburg delegate George Grayson diez
VGTV morning newscast for March 5, 2015
By Steve Vaughan
12:00 a.m. EST, March 5, 2015
WILLIAMSBURG— 

Long-time College of William and Mary professor and former Virginia House of Delegates member George Grayson has died of an apparent heart attack, according to a email message distributed Wednesday morning by colleague John McGlennon.
Grayson served as a professor at William and Mary for 40 years. He retired in 2012.
Grayson was an expert on Mexico, and wrote several books about the country's politics and its drug cartels. His home page on the college's website notes that he made more than 200 research trips to Latin America.
He served in the Virginia legislature for 27 years. Meaningful legislation that he fought for included a ban on children riding in the back of pickup trucks. Redistricting forced Grayson out of the legislature when his district was moved.
As a member of the House when Democrats held the majority, Grayson was known as former Speaker Tom Moss' go-to-guy when he needed someone to "call the pending question" and end debate.

Former Del. Jay DeBoer, now director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, served with Grayson for nearly two decades.
"George Grayson was not only a colleague, but he was my freshman advisor and a major influence and role model in my life. His first primary campaign against Russ Carneal for the House of Delegates was the first campaign in which I ever volunteered," DeBoer said Wednesday.
"Oddly, when I was elected to the House of Delegates in 1982, it was during George’s one-year hiatus from the House. This made me senior to him by one year, and he was seated to my 'junior side' on several committees on which we served together," DeBoer said. "We both took delight in this coincidence. George represented the Williamsburg area and the College passionately, and was often at odds with some of the statewide business interests that did not understand the tone and pace in the town. His floor speeches were legendary for their puns – but that was disarming and diffused anger. He could argue with you in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and sometimes Latin. He was a wonderful friend and mentor, and I will miss him terribly."
Other former colleagues also noted Grayson's passing with sorrow.
“It is with sadness that I learned of the death of former Delegate George Grayson today. Having represented James City and Williamsburg in the Senate for ten of the 27 years when George served our region in the House, I know the depth of his unyielding devotion to the people of the Historic Triangle,' Sen. Tommy Norment, R-James City, said in a statement.
“George was a champion for mental health, and I was privileged to work closely with him on behalf of Eastern State Hospital and its patients. George also understood the vital importance of tourism to our region, and worked tirelessly to advance Virginia’s commitment to promoting the Historic Triangle. And, the College of William and Mary and the importance of higher education to Virginia were never underrepresented in the House of Delegates during George’s tenure. "
On a personal note, Norment said, “For those of us who knew him, his genial manner, quick wit, and sense of humor will leave a lasting impression. Whether debating an issue in the House, lecturing students in the classroom, or appearing before civic organizations in the 97th District, George enthralled his audiences with witty comments and humorous observations. He had a willingness to poke fun at himself that endeared him to his audiences and his constituents. George Grayson had a tremendous effect on our region, the College, and the Commonwealth. Today’s news means we have lost a Virginia original."
George was a respected member of our community for many decades and we are immensely grateful for his contributions to our work as Democrats. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family," said Jen Tierney, chair of the James City County Democratic Committee.
"We are very sad to learn that George Grayson has died. Professor Grayson was a widely recognized and deeply respected teacher and scholar. When it came to Mexico and Latin America, he was the oracle for countless national and international publications, as well as network broadcasts. He also served with distinction as a delegate in Virginia’s General Assembly," College of William and Mary president Taylor Reveley. "George lived life with style and wit. All of us at William & Mary will miss him tremendously."
Grayson's website notes that was a senior associate at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, an associate scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a board member of the Center for Immigration Studies, and a lifetime member of the NAACP. He was a frequent contributor to CNN and NPR on issues involving Latin America.
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