Bill Text: VA HJR336 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of James Arthur Mann.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-10 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ336ER) [HJR336 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HJR336-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, James Arthur Mann, an esteemed newspaperman who served the Fredericksburg community for decades as a longtime employee of the Free Lance-Star, died on January 16, 2022; and
WHEREAS, James "Jim" Arthur Mann grew up in Fredericksburg and began his lifetime association with the Free Lance-Star at the age of 10, when he began delivering editions throughout his neighborhood, including to the doorstep of the owner of the newspaper at the time, Josiah Rowe; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann graduated from James Monroe High School, where he was elected class president and advocated on behalf of his fellow students as the operator of an unofficial school newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann subsequently earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and was a member of the institution's Reserve Officer Training Corps program; after graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann served his country on active duty for three years, including a deployment to Vietnam as a member of the 128th Assault Helicopter Company, and earned two Distinguished Flying Cross medals for his heroism in combat; and
WHEREAS, while in Vietnam, Jim Mann regularly compiled a humorous unit newspaper and served as a war correspondent for the Free Lance-Star, and after the war, he continued flying helicopters as a member of the Virginia Army National Guard; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, Jim Mann and his brother, Tom, established Billingsley Printing, which has since served generations of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County residents; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann's heart remained in the newspaper business, however, and he soon returned to the Free Lance-Star; over the course of his long and fulfilling career, he served as a reporter, photographer, designer, and assistant managing editor; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann inspired others through his reassuring leadership style and even temperament; he was a trusted mentor to countless fellow employees of the Free Lance-Star and continued to offer his kudos and sage advice to staff members of the newspaper even after his well-earned retirement in 2004; and
WHEREAS, among many accolades for his commitment to excellence in journalism, Jim Mann received the Virginia Press Association's highest honor, the George Mason Award, in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, where he helped maintain the bell tower, and he volunteered his time to support young people as a Scoutmaster; and
WHEREAS, Jim Mann will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Mary; his children, Geoff, Emily, and Jonathan, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of James Arthur Mann; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James Arthur Mann as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
