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2018 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 249
Celebrating the life of Neilson Jay November.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2018
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Neilson Jay November, a prolific philanthropist whose generous support for education, theatre, aviation, Jewish causes, and other organizations helped shape the Richmond community, died on March 2, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of New York City, Neilson “Neil” November moved with his family to Richmond, where his father operated Friedman-Marks Clothing Co., a men’s clothing manufacturer, and his mother gained renown as a painter and an advocate for the fine arts; and

WHEREAS, growing up on Monument Avenue, Neil November developed a passion for aviation at a young age by building and flying model airplanes; one of his first jobs was washing planes at nearby Hermitage Airport and he earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16; and

WHEREAS, Neil November joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II as an officer in the United States Navy; after his honorable military service, he returned to the Commonwealth to complete his education at Washington and Lee University, where he met his future wife, Sara Belle; and

WHEREAS, in 1968, Neil November sold Friedman-Marks Clothing Co., and used the proceeds to answer his true calling as a philanthropist, fundraiser, and community developer; he was a partner in two real estate development companies and held leadership positions in more than 18 civic, service, and religious organizations; and

WHEREAS, Neil November was a champion for arts and culture, especially the performing arts, making significant contributions to the Barksdale Theatre, the first nonprofit professional performing arts organization in Central Virginia, and the Empire Theatre, now known as the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre; at least seven theatres in the Richmond area bear the November name; and

WHEREAS, a member of Congregation Beth Ahabah, Neil November was also a passionate supporter of the Jewish diaspora in the Commonwealth and throughout the world; he served as a former president of the Richmond Jewish Community Center, where he orchestrated the Israeli Showcase, a weeklong community exhibition; and

WHEREAS, as chair of the Virginia Israel Commission under Governor Gerald Baliles, Neil November promoted cultural, educational, and economic development opportunities between Israel and the Commonwealth; he also helped establish the Virginia Holocaust Museum, receiving its first award for extraordinary service, which now bears his name; and

WHEREAS, inspired by his lifelong love of the majesty of flight, Neil November helped establish the Virginia Aviation Museum, served as a member of the Virginia Aviation Board and chair of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society, and was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame; he played an integral role in helping Byrd Airport expand and grow into Richmond International Airport; and

WHEREAS, Neil November helped create the Virginia Industrial Interport Association, the first environmentally protected industrial park in the eastern United States, and guided the development of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden; and

WHEREAS, among his many other projects, Neil November supported the Sara D. November Education Center at The Valentine in honor of his mother, the planetarium and science theatre at the Science Museum of Virginia, and a professorship in psychiatry at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine to help primary care physicians understand depression; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by two sons, Neil November will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Sara Belle; his two grandchildren; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Neilson Jay November, a pillar of the Richmond community; and, be it

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