Morgan Griffith
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H. Morgan Griffith (born March 15, 1958) is the majority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates. Griffith is a Republican who represents the eight district which includes all of Salem, Virginia and parts of Roanoke County. Griffith was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1994.
[edit] Biography
Griffith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved to Salem, Virginia as a child. He attended Andrew Lewis High School, graduating in 1976. Griffith then attended Emory and Henry College, graduating in 1980. Griffith completed his education with a J.D. from the Washington and Lee University Law School in 1983.
After law school, Griffith settled in Salem where he still works as a private attorney with a focus on traffic violations and DUI. Griffith has also served as the director of Salem Bank and Trust. Griffith first became seriously involved in politics in 1986, when he was chosen as the chairman of the Salem Republican Party, a position he held from 1986 to 1988 and from 1991 to 1994.
Griffith is married to Hilary Davis and has three children Abby Griffith, Morgan Davis Griffith, and Howard Stark Griffth.
[edit] Legislative Record
Griffith serves as the vice-chairman of the Rules Committee in the House of Delegates. He serves on the Courts of Justice Committee, and is the chairman of its Criminal Law Subcommittee. He also serves on the Commerce and Labor and the Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committees. Griffith's voting record is strongly conservative as indicated by his interest group ratings:
- NARAL Pro-Choice America determined that Griffith was "anti-choice" in 1997 and have issued him a rating of 0% in three out of the last four years.
- The Virginia Society for Human Life issued Griffith a 100% in all of the past four years.
- Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued Griffith a rating of 0% for the years 2000-2002.
- Equality Virginia, a gay rights organization, issued Griffith a 9% rating in 2005.
- The Family Values Alliance, a conservative social policy group, endorsed Griffith in 2005.
- The Virginia Education Association issued Griffith an average rating of 67% from 2004-2006.
- The League of Conservation Voters issued Griffith an average rating of 48% from 200 to 2006.
- The National Rifle Association gave Griffith an A+ rating in 1999.