VCC Magazine Winter 2018

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2018 29 America, If We Can Keep It from page 25 Eugene L.“Bill”Crump, Jr. By Bernie Henderson The afternoon of Saturday, December 16, was a pleasant time to play golf, rake leaves, put up holiday decorations or go shopping. It was much too nice to attend a memorial event, even if it was billed as a “Final Happy Hour.” However, more than a couple hundred people chose to do just that to honor the life of Eugene L. Crump, Jr., who everyone knew as either Bill or Reddy Kilowatt. Bill’s Final Happy Hour was attended by a fascinating array of characters: conservatives and liberals; Democrats and Republicans; lobbyists and lawyers; legislators and judges; statesmen (and stateswomen) and maybe even one or two scalawags; and lots of unclassified good friends. Each had so many fond memories about their friend that their stories would fill volumes. The only thing missing from this wonderful gathering was a sandy-haired, gravel voiced, high- velocity cherub sized fella who was very much the center of attention, even though he was not physically present. Bill was smaller in stature than most who were in that room, but his personality would have overwhelmed the place. Bill was probably best known as the lobbyist for VEPCO, beginning in the early 1970s, and continuing through name changes and corporate restructurings until his retirement in 2000. For a good segment of that time, Bill was the company’s only lobbyist. At the risk of being more truthful than diplomatic, Bill represented his company no less effectively acting alone than the horde of lobbyists that company now retains to do his job. From 1972 through the 1982 General Assembly session, I was responsible for legislative relations for the State Corporation Commission. This period In Memoriam We cannot reason with the unreasonable, nor expect labeling anyone stupid will garner a reasonable dialogue. However, our Statue of Liberty promise remains America’s best defense against those who project their Alternative Facts and Fake News on our Bill of Rights. Beware leaders who, make the country look very bad , as they may be thieves in the night stealing Reagan’s shining city on a hill . Our 2017 elections, notwithstanding, we’ve seen worse and done better. History’s most vile example of man’s inhumanity to humankind, is a convenient club with which to beat wannabe autocrats, but narrowly evoking Hitler, ignores the pertinent counter lesson of, hope. Considering the 20th century histories of Jewish, German and Japanese populations, so utterly devastated by Holocaust, war and misplaced atomic energy, are now resurrected and redefined survivors of the worst man could imagine. Yet they still face life-threatening challenges: Japan in range of North Korean missiles, Israel, almost seventy years relentlessly defiant against encircling enemies and Germany, post conquered and divided, the financial stability of included the “energy crisis” when both VEPCO and the SCC were in the cross-hairs of many politicians. Contrary to the thoughts of some, Bill and I were not always on the same side, but without exception, Bill always had his facts on straight, he was always truthful even when it wasn’t helpful to his case, he never was devious or deceptive, he always kept it respectful and I never saw him lose his temper. On a personal level, Bill and I first met a few years before we even knew there was a VEPCO or a SCC. We were cooks in the same National Guard mess hall; we distinguished ourselves by successfully defending our country and Commonwealth at Virginia Beach while also giving literal meaning to the word “mess” in “mess hall.” We later worked together on a campaign for Richmond City Council candidates that was successful despite us. Our friendship became unique when he was at VEPCO and I was at the SCC, having similar responsibilities for our employers. We recognized the need to maintain, both in reality and in appearance, a wall of propriety and professionalism between us. During those ten years, we never collaborated on legislative strategy and we never shared information with each other; we never had a meal or even a drink together or visited one another’s home. We didn’t even exchange Christmas cards. Bill Crump simply exemplified, without blemish, the very best attributes of professional lobbying. While he abhorred the actions of others who sullied the title “lobbyist,” he never evaded that job title. Beyond his professionalism, Bill was a kind, generous, loyal, funny, intelligent and savvy Virginia gentleman. Those of us who had the honor of knowing him will frequently smile as he lives in our memory. Those who did not have the pleasure of knowing him personally who aspire to be a lobbyist (regardless of whatever euphemistic moniker they prefer) could do no better than to learn how Bill Crump did his job and strive to emulate it. Europe, despite Greek economy, Britain’s Brexit and Americans forgetting, No Man is an Island . Surely, our American road home will be far less perilous, the more we elect people with unshakable character, instead of opportunists, shaking things up . Radiating to all this reasonable realization, a rising tide lifts all boats , insures national honor, international humanity and our Democratic Republic. Marcello Rollando is both seasoned political commentator and critically acclaimed Performing Arts Director. Taking a sabbatical from his beloved NYC to work on a number of political campaigns as communications director and/or consultant in 2008, he remained in the DC area for the mid-term elections in 2010. He now lives in our nation’s capital and is currently radio news anchor and producer for Charlottesville’s Monticello Media. crump V V