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Career Overview
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Serving the Commonwealth
- Most Conservative member of the General Assembly for 8 years
- Member, Committees on Courts, Transportation, Education, and Elections
- Helped elect over 30 Public Officials to House, Senate and Local Offices
- Helped Defeat the 2003 Sales Tax Referendum in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia
- Helped Elect 3 Delegates in 1st Congressional District
Pro-Family Legislation Passed
- Parental Consent Required for Minor’s Abortion
- Firearms Preemption Bill [Voided local gun controls]
- Prohibited Discrimination against Boy Scouts in Public Schools
- Made in the USA Bill (No More Nat’l Guard Medals Made in China)
- Internet Filters Required in Schools
- Ban Partial Birth Abortion (Principal cosponsor with Delegate Marshall)
- Choose Life License Plate (Vetoed by Gov. Warner)
- Marriage Amendment (formulated concept with Delegate Marshall)
- Struck Down 21-Year Ban on Concealed Carry in Parks by Atty. General’s Opin.
- Chaired Subcommittee that Crafted Legislation Denying Drivers Licenses to Illegal Aliens
- Tightened Bail for Sexual Predators
Other Legislation Passed
- Legislation Providing $200 Million to Build Six Highway Interchanges and Create the Rt. 28 Freeway
- Law Empowering School Resource Officers to Maintain Order and Safety in Our Schools
- Twice Enacted Increases in the Property Tax Exemption for Elderly and Disabled
- Obtained Tax Exemption for Air Force Retired Officers’ Community
- Expanded Heart and Lung Provisions of Workers’ Comp to Cover More Police
Awards & Ratings
100% Rating: National Assn. of Independent Business
100% Rating: Family Foundation
100% Rating: Fairfax County Taxpayers Association
A+ Rating: National Rifle Association
- National Right to Work: America's Top Legislator of the Year, 2003
- Family Foundation: Northern Virginia Legislator of the Year, 2003
- Christian Coalition: Chairman, Northern Virginia 1993-95
- Brent Society: Distinguished Legislator of 2006--“for constant and courageous defense of innocent human life, the sanctity of marriage, and the traditional family.”
- Church of the Valley: American Eagle Award for 2007--"for bold defense of family values."
- Tax Payers Pledge: Signed it and kept it. Delegate Black never voted for a single tax in eight years.
Military awards include: Purple Heart, three Legions of Merit, 13 Air Medals, Two Presidential Unit Citations and the Naval Aviator’s Wings of Gold.
Career History
- President, Highmark LLC; and Senior Consultant, Capitol Link
- Elected to four terms in the House of Delegates (8 years)
- Partner, Law Firm of Taylor, Horbaly and Black
- US Army Judge Advocate Attorney
- Attorney, Private Practice
- US Marine Officer and Pilot
- Construction Estimator
- Factory Worker
Education
- J.D. in Law, University of Florida (Licensed to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court)
- BSBS in Accounting (Honors), University of Florida
- Nine Month Postgraduate Legal Studies, TJAGSA, University of Virginia Campus
- Army War College
Family
- Married to Wife Barbara for 39 Years
- Three Children, Six Grandchildren
- Son-in-Law is Member, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (His father is a former U.S. Congressman)
Serving Our Country--Military
Rose from Private to Colonel
21 year-old lieutenant and pilot
269 combat helicopter missions
- Rescued Medal of Honor winner Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie Howard and his men under withering enemy attack by a battalion of Viet Cong. One chopper was shot down and its pilot killed during the rescue.
- Crash landed at Chu Lai after machine gun fire cut helicopter rudder cable.
- Returned from four different missions with bullet holes in the chopper
As a Forward Air Controller, fought in ground combat with the 1st Marine Regiment
- 70 combat patrols, many at night behind enemy lines
- Was wounded in an assault against enemy positions
- After enemy platoon captured the end of his ridgeline, Lt. Black accompanied the 1st platoon silently through enemy lines at night. By dawn, the platoon had recaptured the ridge.
- Black always fought in the front. Was struck in his flak vest by flying bomb shrapnel while directing close air attacks on enemy positions.
- Wounded in battle (The only Member of the General Assembly holding a Purple Heart Medal).
Military Positions Held
- Fire Team Leader
- Combat Pilot, H-34 Helicopters
- Flight Instructor, H-46 Helicopters
- Acting Platoon Commander in combat after other officers were killed
- Marine Company Commander
- Battalion Logistics Officer
- Lead Prosecuting Attorney (JAG Corps)
- Chief Defense Counsel
- Chief of Criminal Law Division
- Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in charge of five legal offices in three European countries
- Top legal official at three installations—supervised up to 40 attorneys
- Pentagon, Chief of the Criminal Law Division, Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Army
- Headed the Army's Criminal Law Division at the Pentagon.
- Developed Executive Orders for the President’s signature, and
laws that were enacted by Congress.
- Advised senior government officials on issues of national significance.
- Testified before the U.S. Congress on several topics, including Victims’ Rights, weapons smuggling, and the Haitian intervention.
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