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2005 SESSION

059709760
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 535
Offered February 21, 2005
Commending William W. Bowman, Jr.
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Patron-- Martin
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WHEREAS, in 1981, William W. “Bill” Bowman began working at the Legislative Television Studio for Commonwealth Public Broadcasting’s Capitol Bureau and retired, as Bureau Chief, in November of 2003 after 22 years of devoted service to a studio that produced programs broadcast on public television in Northern Virginia and the Richmond area; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bowman enjoyed a long and productive career in both public and commercial television as a consummate professional broadcaster, extremely proficient in every aspect of television production and admired for his infectious good humor, initiative, creativity, flexibility, and diplomacy; and

WHEREAS, a commercial television station enabled him for 14 years to explore his good humor and creativity on Shock Theater by personifying an endearing character, the Bowman Body, sporting a black cape and white pasty face with a Band-Aid on his forehead, wearing high-top sneakers, and strumming a ukulele, who traveled by hearse and opened his show by rising out of a mock coffin; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bowman was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1996 for his outstanding television career and his Bowman Body character; and

WHEREAS, in his work with the Capitol Bureau, Bill Bowman supervised production for public radio and television, as well as for commercial and cable stations, and was instrumental in the production of the broadcasting of the Senate of Virginia proceedings; and

WHEREAS, numerous television series were produced by Bill Bowman for WCVE, including Capitol Views, Capitol Events, Around the Appomattox, and Perspective, as well as specials such as gubernatorial debates, inaugurations, and State of the Commonwealth addresses; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bowman not only used his gifts and talents to fulfill professional goals but also to enrich the lives of others by volunteering extensively for Children’s Hospital, Petersburg Training School, and other organizations; and he taught television production at the Broadcast Academy of Richmond and John Tyler Community College; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend William W. Bowman, Jr., on his retirement from a distinguished career in television broadcasting and for his many contributions to the success of the Legislative Studio for Commonwealth Public Broadcasting; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to William W. Bowman, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for his invaluable services and best wishes for a long and fulfilling retirement.