Bill Text: VA SJR512 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 512 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending Frances Hallam Hurt.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 18-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-07 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ512ER) [SJR512 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2011-SJR512-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 512 Commending Frances Hallam Hurt. Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2011 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 25, 2011

WHEREAS, Frances Hallam Hurt, known as the "Grand Dame" of the Town of Chatham and Pittsylvania County for her many civic and cultural contributions, recently celebrated her 95th birthday; and

WHEREAS, a native of Dallas, Texas, Frances Hallam Hurt graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Southern Methodist University before moving to New York City, where she worked for Hearst Business Magazines and Glamour magazine; and

WHEREAS, after meeting and marrying Southside native Henry Hurt, Frances Hurt settled in Chatham in 1941, continuing her writing career as a freelancer and immersing herself in civic life in addition to raising her family; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the Pittsylvania County Historical Society, Frances Hurt founded the highly successful Christmas in Colonial Chatham and brought Pittsylvania County's history to life with three plays�Land of the Bright Leaf, The Shirtmen and the Quaker, and All Men Shall Be Free�which depict significant events from the county's past; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt also wrote An Intimate History of the American Revolution in Pittsylvania County and cowrote Eighteenth Century Landmarks of Pittsylvania County, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, an accomplished author, Frances Hurt continued to write essays and articles over the years that won her numerous awards; and

WHEREAS, a great lover of the written word, Frances Hurt worked as a librarian on the Pittsylvania County bookmobile, served as a literacy tutor, and helped found the Pittsylvania County Literacy Program; and

WHEREAS, a tireless advocate for the beautification of Chatham, Frances Hurt served as vice president of Keep Virginia Beautiful, headed a local group that planted and weeded around Chatham, and helped bring national recognition to the town in being named a national recipient of the Keep America Beautiful Award; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt also created the John L. Hurt, Jr., Scholarship with The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region in honor of the nephew of the founder of the Town of Hurt to assist local youth with the expenses of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Frances Hurt has received numerous awards and accolades for her selfless service to the community, including the 2004 Humanitarian Award from the Danville Area Disabilities Employment Network; and

WHEREAS, in addition to having the Town of Chatham's "centerpiece park" named in her honor, Frances Hurt was delighted when the Town of Chatham designated February 14, 2011, as Frances Hallam Hurt Day and presented her with a proclamation recognizing her many contributions; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by her husband, Henry, Frances Hallam Hurt enjoys spending time with her beloved family, including daughter Dr. Hallam Hurt and her husband Dr. Steve Roth; son Henry Hurt, Jr., and his wife Margaret Hurt; grandchildren, Hallam Roth, Elizabeth Hurt, United States Congressman Robert Hurt and his wife Kathy Hurt, and Charlie Hurt and his wife Stephanie Hurt; and great-grandchildren Charles Hurt, Clement Hurt, John Hurt, Henry Hurt, Sam Hurt, and Lily Hurt; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Frances Hallam Hurt on the occasion of her 95th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Frances Hallam Hurt as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her many civic and cultural contributions to the Town of Chatham and Pittsylvania County.