C. O'Conor Goolrick
Encyclopedia
C. O'Conor Coolrick was a Virginia lawyer and politician whose legislative accomplishments include the establishment of a school for the training of teachers at Fredericksburg, Virginia
that became the University of Mary Washington
, and the establishment of modern systems for worker's compensation, public education, and the state highway department.
Goolrick graduated from the Virginia Military Institute
and the University of Virginia Law School, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates
from 1908 to 1915, and in the Senate of Virginia
from 1915 to 1923.
In 1908, he played a key role in the fight to have a normal school for the training of teachers located in Fredericksburg
. At that time, Virginia's only institution devoted exclusively to the training of teachers for public schools was the Normal School for Women at Farmville (now Longwood University
). During the 1908 legislative session, two new locations were under consideration, with the Senate supporting Harrisonburg and the House of Delegates selecting Fredericksburg. A compromise was reached, and legislation was passed that created what is today James Madison University
and the University of Mary Washington
.
Goolrick also was the author of the workman's compensation bill of Virginia, copatron of the state's first compulsory education law, and a member of the 1918-19 commission that laid the foundation for the county-unit system of public school administration.
After his state service, Goolrick was city attorney for Fredericksburg for 28 years, and served as Fredericksburg mayor. He was a former president of the Virginia Bar Association
, and for many years was the president of The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company. In 1950, he was the first recipient of the B'nai B'rith Award for distinguished service to the community, and he was a member of the Mary Washington Board of Visitors when it was affiliated with the University of Virginia. In 1967 the new physical education building of the University of Mary Washington
was named Goolrick Hall in his honor.
Goolrick was president of the Virginia convention in 1933 to act on the Twenty-First Amendment, repealing Prohibition
..
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
that became the University of Mary Washington
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington is a public, coeducational liberal arts college located in the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. Founded in 1908 by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a normal school, during much of the twentieth century it was part of the University of Virginia, until...
, and the establishment of modern systems for worker's compensation, public education, and the state highway department.
Goolrick graduated from the Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
and the University of Virginia Law School, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
from 1908 to 1915, and in the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
from 1915 to 1923.
In 1908, he played a key role in the fight to have a normal school for the training of teachers located in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
. At that time, Virginia's only institution devoted exclusively to the training of teachers for public schools was the Normal School for Women at Farmville (now Longwood University
Longwood University
Longwood University is a four-year public, liberal-arts university located in Farmville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1839 and became a university on July 1, 2002...
). During the 1908 legislative session, two new locations were under consideration, with the Senate supporting Harrisonburg and the House of Delegates selecting Fredericksburg. A compromise was reached, and legislation was passed that created what is today James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
and the University of Mary Washington
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington is a public, coeducational liberal arts college located in the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. Founded in 1908 by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a normal school, during much of the twentieth century it was part of the University of Virginia, until...
.
Goolrick also was the author of the workman's compensation bill of Virginia, copatron of the state's first compulsory education law, and a member of the 1918-19 commission that laid the foundation for the county-unit system of public school administration.
After his state service, Goolrick was city attorney for Fredericksburg for 28 years, and served as Fredericksburg mayor. He was a former president of the Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
The Virginia Bar Association is a voluntary organization of lawyers in Virginia, with offices in Richmond, Virginia.- VBA Mission : is the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, advancing the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service.- History :The VBA, , was...
, and for many years was the president of The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company. In 1950, he was the first recipient of the B'nai B'rith Award for distinguished service to the community, and he was a member of the Mary Washington Board of Visitors when it was affiliated with the University of Virginia. In 1967 the new physical education building of the University of Mary Washington
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington is a public, coeducational liberal arts college located in the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. Founded in 1908 by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a normal school, during much of the twentieth century it was part of the University of Virginia, until...
was named Goolrick Hall in his honor.
Goolrick was president of the Virginia convention in 1933 to act on the Twenty-First Amendment, repealing Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
..