Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 36 The Virginia House of Delegates, the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World, has been shaped over centuries not only by its elected members but also by the men and women who stand just beyond the chamber’s floor. They are the doorkeepers. This year, we mourn the passing of one of the longest-serving and most beloved of those guardians, Mr. Eddie Radden, whose presence at the doors of the House was both reassuring and instructive. His life of service leaves a mark not only on the institution, but also on all who were privileged to know him. The Role of the Doorkeeper To the uninitiated, the position of doorkeeper may appear ceremonial, even peripheral. But anyone who has served in the House knows better. The doorkeeper stands at the intersection of tradition, security, and order. They ensure the integrity of proceedings, maintain decorum, and safeguard the chamber’s sacred rhythms. Yet the role extends beyond these visible duties. The doorkeeper is the quiet custodian of institutional memory. Delegates come and go with each election, but the doorkeeper often remains. They bear witness to debates, shifts in leadership, and the evolution of the Commonwealth itself. To new members, the doorkeeper is a guide; to senior members, a confidant; to all, a stabilizing presence. A Personal Encounter I first met Mr. Radden when I was elected to the House of Delegates in 2016. In those early days, as I absorbed the gravity of the chamber, his counsel was both simple and profound: “Sit and learn for two to three years before speaking on issues on the floor.” Those words were not a dismissal of my voice but an invitation to humility, patience, and study. They were an encouragement to understand the weight of history, to honor the rhythm of the body, and to speak not merely to be heard, but to add meaning. That kind of wisdom—quiet, steady, and timeless—was Mr. Radden’s gift to so many. Mr. Eddie Radden’s Legacy Mr. Radden embodied the very best of the doorkeeper’s role. He served with humility, warmth, and a deep sense of responsibility. For decades, he was the first face delegates saw as they entered the Capitol building and chamber each day. His steady hand and welcoming smile reminded each member—whether a newly sworn-in freshman or a seasoned committee chair—that they were entering a space larger than themselves, a space of history and duty. For new delegates, he was often among the first to offer encouragement. He could sense the nervousness of a member about to cast their first vote or deliver their first-floor speech. With a quiet word or reassuring nod, he imparted confidence. To him, every member—regardless of party, seniority, or ideology. All deserve dignity and respect. His impartiality was legendary. For veteran legislators, Mr. Radden was a source of perspective. He had watched leadership changes, close votes, and late-night sessions. He remembered when debates mirrored those from decades earlier, and he could gently remind members that history often repeats itself. That wisdom, dispensed without pretense, was as valuable as any policy analysis. And he never let us forget the greater purpose of the chamber. Mr. Radden would often remind us: “This institution is of the people. Always remember: we the people, of the people, by the people, and The Guardian of the Chamber: Remembering Mr. Eddie Radden By DELEGATE CLIFF HAYES for the people.” His words grounded us in the truth that the House does not belong to politicians but to the citizens of Virginia. A Bridge Between Generations What made Mr. Radden remarkable was his ability to serve as a bridge between generations of delegates. Over his tenure, he welcomed hundreds of lawmakers to the House, shepherding them into the traditions of the chamber. He knew when to step back and let a member learn by doing and when to step in with quiet guidance. New members, often overwhelmed by the pace and formality of legislative life, found in him a patient mentor. Senior members, May 1928 – May 2025 Eddie Radden Jr. in front of the Capitol.
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