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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 785
Commending Arthur W. Arundel.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 2, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 3, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Arthur W. Arundel, veteran, communications and media giant, influential advocate for the founding of George Mason University, and admired resident of The Plains, has been selected as the Outstanding Virginian of the Year for 2011; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia General Assembly’s Outstanding Virginian Committee annually selects an individual from the Commonwealth whose life has significantly improved the community; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Harvard University, Arthur “Nick” Arundel proudly served his country as a special forces combat officer in the United States Marine Corps, earning Purple Hearts in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars; and

WHEREAS, Nick Arundel began his groundbreaking media career when he was hired by Edward R. Murrow and covered Washington, D.C., as a correspondent for CBS News before moving to work at the White House for United Press International; and

WHEREAS, after buying a bankrupt country music radio station in Washington, D.C., Nick Arundel launched the first 24-hour news programming station, WAVA; and

WHEREAS, as the residents of the nation’s capital reeled from the news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and followed the battles in the Vietnam War, the station’s revolutionary format enjoyed immediate success; and

WHEREAS, Nick Arundel’s company quickly grew to include other radio and cable television stations with WAVA’s “all news all the time” format influencing how news was delivered across the nation; and

WHEREAS, Nick Arundel later expanded his media empire to include newspaper publishing, purchasing or starting up numerous notable newspapers in the Commonwealth, including the Loudoun Times-Mirror, the Fauquier Times-Democrat, and the Reston Times; and

WHEREAS, during a mid-1960s run for the Virginia Senate, Nick Arundel was a strong advocate for the formation of a four-year college and university in Northern Virginia, which led to the creation of Northern Virginia’s first four-year university, George Mason University; and

WHEREAS, Nick Arundel served as the first board chair of George Mason University, profoundly influencing its growth and direction and leading it to the major educational force it is today; and

WHEREAS, a resident of The Plains, Nick Arundel was instrumental in preserving and restoring the small community when its existence was threatened by the expansion of Interstate 66 and has contributed his time and energy to numerous worthy endeavors in the area; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the community, Nick Arundel founded Great Meadow, a 250-acre field events center and steeplechase course, cofounded the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, a 180-mile scenic American history and cultural trail, and served as a Founders board member of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Nick Arundel has been supported in his many remarkable endeavors by his wife, Margaret C. McElroy, and their five children; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, Nick Arundel’s visionary leadership and innovative ideas shaped the way people around the world receive information, led to the creation of another outstanding institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, and preserved a historic community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Arthur W. Arundel on his selection as the Outstanding Virginian of 2011; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Arthur W. Arundel as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and gratitude for his numerous contributions to the Commonwealth and the country.