Bill Text: VA SJR202 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ202ER) [SJR202 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2010-SJR202-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 202
Celebrating the life of Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2010
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2010
 

WHEREAS, Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr., a beloved employee of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and community leader, died on March 7, 2009; and

WHEREAS, born into the large and loving family of Nathaniel Reid, Sr., and Nancy Reid, Nathaniel Reid was one of 11 children; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid attended James City County Training School, where he was an outstanding basketball player, and received a full scholarship to Virginia State College; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid joined the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation first as a waiter at the old Travis House restaurant before becoming bellman at the Williamsburg Inn; and

WHEREAS, a courteous and tactful man with a ready smile and laugh, Nathaniel Reid provided first-class service to the guests of the Williamsburg Inn, where he and his colleagues served kings and queens, six United States presidents, senators, and diplomats; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid worked diligently to provide superior service to guests; in the early 1950s, he noticed that more and more guests asked for televisions in their room so he received permission from management to rent portable televisions to the hotel guests; and

WHEREAS, recognized for his leadership skills, Nathaniel Reid became captain of the bellmen in 1947 and superintendent of service in 1964, a position he held until his retirement in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid's motto was "Service is my business"; he received the National Bellman of the Year award in 1967 in recognition of his hard work and commitment to excellence; and

WHEREAS, for 40 years, Nathaniel Reid, a true gentleman, graciously welcomed tourists, families, and dignitaries to the Williamsburg Inn, providing them with an outstanding first impression of Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, a devoted citizen, Nathaniel Reid generously gave of his time and talents in the community as a trustee of the Williamsburg Housing Authority and member of the Williamsburg Social Service Board; he was also a member of Maceo Consolidated Lodge No. 124 and Malachai Chapter No. 61, Royal Arch Mason, and a lifetime member of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid lived his faith through his actions and as a member of First Baptist Church, where he was an usher and trustee, past president of the Community Men's Fellowship, and cofounder and president of the Men's Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Nathaniel Reid will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and greatly missed by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Elizabeth Baker Reid; their three children, Natalie, Carolynn, and Nathaniel, and their families; and his numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a true service professional and outstanding Virginian, Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.

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