Celebrating the life of Horace Christopher Belcher.
House Joint Resolution 170 is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and legacy of Horace Christopher Belcher, known on air as “Big B.” The resolution recounts his upbringing in a military family, his education at Fayetteville State University, and his career in marketing, promotions, sales, telecommunications, and radio. It highlights his role in the early 1990s at WOWI 102.9 FM/103 JAMZ in Norfolk, where he and Lawrence “DJ Law” Brown formed the Boodah Brothers morning show, becoming a defining presence in Hampton Roads broadcasting.
The resolution emphasizes Belcher’s broader cultural influence, including his mentorship, community engagement, and role in shaping the identity of Hampton Roads. It credits him with helping popularize the term “757,” describes his work uplifting local talent and connecting listeners across the region, and notes his continued leadership after the deaths of his fellow original Boodah Brothers. The measure concludes by expressing the General Assembly’s sorrow and directing the House Clerk to present a copy to his family as a sign of respect.
HJ170 does not change state law, create new legal rights, or appropriate funds. Its effect is ceremonial and symbolic: it formally records the General Assembly’s recognition of Belcher’s contributions and authorizes presentation of the resolution to his family. The only practical state action is the public commemoration of a private citizen and the preservation of that tribute in the legislative record.
The sentiment surrounding the resolution is uniformly positive and respectful. The bill passed as an enrolled joint resolution with no recorded opposition in the provided materials, reflecting bipartisan agreement on honoring Belcher’s life and influence. The language is celebratory and mournful, emphasizing admiration for his character, community service, and cultural impact.
There is no notable policy contention in the bill or the available discussion materials. Because HJ170 is a memorial resolution rather than substantive legislation, there were no apparent disagreements over legal effects, fiscal impact, or implementation. Any differences in emphasis would likely be limited to the personal and cultural significance attributed to Belcher’s legacy, not to the resolution’s adoption itself.