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2006 SESSION

065847496
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 479
Offered March 6, 2006
Celebrating the life of Hierome Lindsay Opie, Jr.
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Patrons-- Saxman, Cline, Hurt, Landes, Lohr and Marshall, D.W.; Senator: Hanger
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WHEREAS, Hierome Lindsay Opie, Jr., of Staunton, respected citizen and longtime executive and publisher of The News Leader, died on January 5, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Hierome Opie graduated from Staunton Military Academy and the University of Virginia and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1940; and

WHEREAS, Hierome Opie returned to his hometown to practice law, but was called into military service in 1941 with the United States Marine Corps, First Marine Division, in Guadalcanal, New Britain, and in the Palau Islands; and

WHEREAS, honorably discharged from active duty as a major, Hierome Opie continued to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, Hierome Opie married Nellie Rennolds Christian, his beloved wife of 60 years, and the couple settled in Staunton; he joined The News Leader, the newspaper founded in 1904 by his father, General Hierome Lindsay Opie, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, an excellent administrator and newspaperman, Hierome Opie became vice president and general manager of The News Leader in 1954; and

WHEREAS, in 1967 Hierome Opie became president of the newspaper, and under his outstanding leadership, the organization underwent major change, including press modernization to photocomposition and offset press production; and

WHEREAS, Hierome Opie succeeded his uncle, Major General E. Walton Opie, as publisher of The News Leader in 1979, a position he held until his retirement in 1982; and

WHEREAS, Hierome Lindsay Opie, Jr., will be remembered for his strong leadership and professionalism and his devotion to his wife, children, and other loved ones and will be missed by his family, his numerous friends and colleagues, and the citizens of  Staunton; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a superb newspaperman and outstanding Virginian, Hierome Lindsay Opie, Jr.; 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 Hierome Lindsay Opie, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.