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2015 SESSION

15103760D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 722
Offered January 30, 2015
Commending the Courier-Record.
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Patron—Wright; Senator: Ruff
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WHEREAS, the Courier-Record, a long-standing newspaper in Blackstone, celebrates 125 years of continuous service to the community in 2015; and

WHEREAS, founded on October 29, 1890, as the Blackstone Courier, the Courier-Record was originally owned by Sydney P. Epes; and

WHEREAS, the Courier-Record was originally located on East Broad Street in Blackstone, until the building was destroyed by fire in 1928; the newspaper was reestablished as Nottoway Publishing Company shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, in 1930, W. C. Coleburn became editor and manager of the Courier-Record; he helped acquire the Nottoway Record in 1931, which gave the paper its name, and established the Courier-Record Five-County Fair, which was one of the largest fairs in the Commonwealth at the time; and

WHEREAS, W. C. Coleburn purchased the Courier-Record in 1943, and the newspaper has been owned and operated by the Coleburn family since that time; the paper flourished during World War II with the establishment of what is now Fort Pickett near Blackstone; and

WHEREAS, in the 1950s, the Courier-Record continued to grow in size and circulation; it become known as an industry leader in typography and won numerous awards from the Virginia Press Association; and

WHEREAS, in 1972, the Courier-Record moved to a new location on South Main Street; the newspaper moved to its current location on West Maple Street in 1999; and

WHEREAS, at a time when many newspapers and print publications are struggling, the Courier-Record has expanded and increased circulation by offering special products, including a popular digital edition; the newspaper is respected for its commitment to fair, hard-hitting journalism and efforts to promote transparency in government; and

WHEREAS, the most recent editors of the Courier-Record have been civic-minded leaders in the community, with W. C. Coleburn and James D. Coleburn serving on the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors; current editor William D. Coleburn serves as the Mayor of the Town of Blackstone; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Courier-Record on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Courier-Record as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the newspaper’s proud tradition of service to the residents of Blackstone and surrounding communities.