SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2011 SPECIAL SESSION I

11200012D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5014
Offered April 5, 2011
Celebrating the life of William James Spain, Jr.
----------
Patrons-- Jones and Athey
----------
Unanimous consent to introduce
----------

WHEREAS, William James Spain, Jr., an influential advocate for the peanut industry in the Commonwealth and a generous community supporter, died on March 9, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of Drewryville, William “Jimmy” Spain graduated at the top of his high school class before enlisting in the United States Navy and proudly serving his country as a tail gunner in San Diego and in the Norfolk Shore Patrol at the end of World War II; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from the University of Virginia, Jimmy Spain returned to Drewryville for a short time before taking an accounting position at the Pretlow Peanut Company in 1952; and

WHEREAS, in 1957 Jimmy Spain went to work for the Birdsong Peanut Company in Suffolk, embarking on a successful 57-year career that included service as president and chairman of the board of the company; and

WHEREAS, an enthusiastic advocate of peanut products, Jimmy Spain made numerous and substantial contributions to the industry on the state and national level; and

WHEREAS, Jimmy Spain led one of the first trade missions to Asia, which included a trip to the then-closed society of China, and helped found the National Peanut Council (now the American Peanut Council) and the Peanut Administrative Committee to serve the needs of peanut growers on a national level; and

WHEREAS, for his many contributions to the peanut industry, Jimmy Spain was inducted into the National Peanut Council’s Hall of Fame in 1996, an honor of which he was particularly proud; and

WHEREAS, an admired community supporter, Jimmy Spain held leadership positions with various community service organizations, including the Suffolk Jaycees, Lions Club, United Way, local Chamber of Commerce, Morgan Memorial Library, and Suffolk Elks Lodge; and

WHEREAS, Jimmy Spain also played a pivotal role in the formation and development of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, serving as its founding director and as an active volunteer; and

WHEREAS, a man of great faith, Jimmy Spain was an active member of Oxford United Methodist Church and enjoyed hosting young adults from the Zuni Presbyterian Training Center; and

WHEREAS, Jimmy Spain was honored for his many contributions to the Suffolk area with his designation as Suffolk’s First Citizen in 1987; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, commitment, and generosity, Jimmy Spain leaves behind a legacy of service to his family, community, and country; and

WHEREAS, Jimmy Spain will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Marionette; sons, Edward, William, and Shea and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an influential advocate for the peanut industry in the Commonwealth and a generous community supporter, William James Spain, 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 William James Spain, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.