Bill Text: VA SJR174 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Adrian J. O'Connor.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ174ER) [SJR174 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR174-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, after more than 25 years with The Winchester Star, Adrian J. O'Connor, a distinguished journalist and generous community volunteer, retired as editor of the newspaper's editorial page on January 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Adrian O'Connor worked for several newspapers in Southside Virginia, including the Danville Register & Bee, where he wrote for the editorial, features, and sports pages; and
WHEREAS, Adrian O'Connor joined The Winchester Star on December 7, 1992, and earned admiration for his fair-mindedness, elegant prose, and impressive vocabulary, while providing a conservative voice on the editorial page; and
WHEREAS, since 1997, Adrian O'Connor had also written the weekly "Valley Pike" column, an engaging collection of stories about the people and places of the Shenandoah Valley; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Adrian O'Connor earned several awards and accolades from the Virginia Press Association for his stories, columns, and photography; and
WHEREAS, possessed of a servant's heart, Adrian O'Connor volunteered his time and leadership with the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club of Winchester, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, and the Honor Flight Network; and
WHEREAS, Adrian O'Connor supported young people in the community as an official for high school sports, a Little League baseball coach, a longtime member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and a mentor to students in the gifted program at Frederick County Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Adrian O'Connor left a legacy of excellence to his colleagues at The Winchester Star, and he will seek new opportunities to continue serving the community in his well-earned retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Adrian J. O'Connor on the occasion of his retirement as editor of the editorial page at The Winchester Star; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Adrian J. O'Connor as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to journalism and service to the Winchester community.
