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2006 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 118
Celebrating the life of Norman G. Beatty.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 26, 2006
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2006
 

WHEREAS, Norman “Norm” G. Beatty, former vice president and revered public affairs professional for Colonial Williamsburg and an inspirational leader of Jamestown 2007, died on September 29, 2005; and

WHEREAS, a Nebraska native, Norm Beatty began his journalism career editing a weekly newspaper in Montana after graduating from the University of Nebraska School of Journalism in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Norm Beatty served his country in the United States Army and, due to his writing talents, was assigned to the Army public information office at Fort Irwin, California; he continued in the Army Reserve for over 20 years, attaining the rank of colonel; and

WHEREAS, Norm Beatty moved to Williamsburg in 1966 and joined Colonial Williamsburg, where he worked with great distinction for three decades; and

WHEREAS, Norm Beatty began as a staff writer for the press bureau, moved quickly into key leadership positions, and eventually became vice president of media and government relations; and

WHEREAS, during his distinguished career with Colonial Williamsburg, Norm Beatty adeptly orchestrated over 50 visits by foreign heads of state, six United States presidents, countless conferences and events for private and public organizations, as well as for state and national legislators; and

WHEREAS, a public relations master, Norm Beatty coordinated President Ronald Reagan’s 1983 Summit of Industrialized Nations held in Colonial Williamsburg, which was attended by seven heads of state, the president of the Commission of the European Communities, 1,500 attendees, and 3,000 journalists from around the world; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, Norm Beatty left Colonial Williamsburg to begin his own consulting firm, worked for the Williamsburg Land Conservancy, and served as president of the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Norm Beatty was named the executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation's 2007 Celebration; and he skillfully built a statewide network of organizations, which laid the foundation for the 400th anniversary commemoration; and

WHEREAS, an enthusiastic and dedicated community advocate, Norm Beatty gave generously of his time and immense talents as a member of the Williamsburg-James City School Board, the Williamsburg Community Hospital Board, the Williamsburg American Cancer Society, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, as past president of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and as vestryman of Bruton Parish Church; and

WHEREAS, Norm Beatty was elected to the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame and was honored by the Williamsburg Jaycees with its Distinguished Service award; and

WHEREAS, Norm Beatty will be remembered for his many contributions and ardent devotion to Colonial Williamsburg and will be sorely missed by his family, his colleagues, and his numerous friends and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a brilliant public relations professional and outstanding Virginian, Norman G. Beatty; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Norman G. Beatty as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.