Bill Text: VA SR108 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of John Mason.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR108ER) [SR108 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SR108-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, John Mason, a distinguished veteran, generous community leader, and visionary public servant who transformed the Fairfax community as mayor for more than a decade, died on February 7, 2024; and
WHEREAS, John Mason grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, attended Classical High School, and earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, John Mason earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he served as a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps; he later continued his education by earning a master's degree from New York University; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, John Mason was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, completed Jump School, and was stationed at bases in Texas and Hawaii; he subsequently deployed to Vietnam in 1965 as an advisor to a Vietnamese railway security battalion; and
WHEREAS, John Mason next served as a senior armor instructor at the United States Military Academy, then returned to Vietnam in 1970 as commander of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment; he completed a follow-on command tour with the 5th Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, then served as a staff officer of the 1st Armored Division in Germany; and
WHEREAS, John Mason's final assignment before his retirement with the rank of colonel was as the assistant director of operations and readiness in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of the Army Headquarters; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to his community, John Mason ran for and was elected to the Fairfax City Council from 1986 to 1990, then served as mayor from 1990 to 2002; and
WHEREAS, as the longest-serving mayor in city history, John Mason oversaw critical enhancements to transportation, housing, commercial development, and local amenities like parks and trails; his investments helped reposition Fairfax as a leader in the region and an excellent place to live and work; and
WHEREAS, John Mason supported the Arts Council of Fairfax County, the Fairfax Symphony, and the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, and he guided the creation of innovative programs like Spotlight on the Arts, a collaboration with George Mason University, to invigorate local culture; and
WHEREAS, John Mason provided his leadership and expertise to many other regional and national boards and commissions, including as executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the board chair of the American Metropolitan Planning Organization; and
WHEREAS, John Mason inspired others through his humility, selflessness, commitment to duty, and genuine care for the community; his contributions to the residents of Fairfax will be felt throughout the city for generations; and
WHEREAS, John Mason will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette; their three children, John, Joanna, and Jeffrey, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Mason, the highly respected former mayor of the City of Fairfax; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Mason as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
