Speaker Howell Announces Kirk Cox elected as new House Majority Leader, Bill Janis new Majority Whip ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RICHMOND, VA - Because of the election of Delegate H. Morgan Griffith to the U.S. House of Representatives last month, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) today announced the election by the 61-member strong Republican Majority Caucus of Delegate M. Kirkland "Kirk" Cox (R-Colonial Heights) andDelegate W. R. "Bill" Janis (R-Henrico) as the new House Majority Leader and House Majority Whip, respectively. The elections were held during a Caucus meeting this afternoon.
"I am delighted to have Delegates Kirk Cox and Bill Janis in these very important leadership positions," said Speaker Howell. "Both of these individuals are trusted allies and talented lawmakers with remarkable backgrounds that they've used to help House Republicans offer practical solutions and deliver real results.
"Kirk is an outstanding member of the House who I rely on time and again for thoughtful analysis and strategic insights on the important challenges and opportunities facing taxpayers, families, businesses and Virginia. Not only is he a widely acknowledged 'go-to' person on the state budget, education, military and natural resource issues, but Kirk also has done a superb job as House Majority Whip counting votes and building support for our ideas.
"Likewise, Bill is an engaged and detail-oriented delegate who contributes so much to our Caucus and Commonwealth. His service on key House committees has provided Bill with a firm understanding of the issues and how they impact people of all walks of life. I'm confident that he will continue helping to identify policy goals and forge coalitions in support of sensible legislation that will improve the quality of life for all Virginians."
"Since I have served for several years as the House Majority Whip, I am very familiar with the demanding tasks of leadership tasks and am grateful for the vote of confidence from so many of my peers," said Delegate Cox. "We have many challenging years ahead with tight budgets and a need to grow private sector jobs. I look forward to working hard with House Republicans and all of my legislative colleagues to address these challenges and the aspirations of the people of Virginia as the next House Majority Leader."
"I am immensely honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by my colleagues from throughout the Commonwealth," said Delegate Janis. I relish the opportunity to serve as the new House Majority Whip. Together, we're going to help put Virginians back to work by promoting legislation that fosters an environment conducive to more job growth, more economic opportunity and more prosperity for all Virginians."
"After Republicans solidified our House Majority when voters and gave us a net gain of six additional seats and now that these Caucus elections are behind us, it's time to focus anew on working with Governor McDonnell to govern thoughtfully and creatively on behalf of those we're so honored to serve," concluded Speaker Howell.