Bill Text: VA SJR224 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Margie Fisher.
Spectrum: Broadly Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-14 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ224ER) [SJR224 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2010-SJR224-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Margie Fisher of Roanoke, a respected citizen, an outstanding journalist, and an advocate for equal rights for women, died on February 12, 2010; and WHEREAS, a native of Roanoke, Margie Fisher was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Roanoke; and WHEREAS, in 1955, Margie Fisher joined the Roanoke Times newspaper as a clerk in the advertising department; and WHEREAS, transitioned to a reporter, Margie Fisher was given assignments for the women's section of the newspaper, such as weddings, debutante balls, church activities, and fundraising luncheons; and WHEREAS, Margie Fisher fought to cover hard-news stories, and she quickly became a pioneer and a role model for female journalists by helping to open the doors of the Virginia General Assembly press room to women; and WHEREAS, Margie Fisher spoke out on many women's rights issues, from creating equal opportunities for female journalists to allowing women to wear pants in the office; and WHEREAS, Margie Fisher helped found Virginia Press Women and served as the organization's president from 1969 to 1971; and WHEREAS, known for her professionalism and her feisty personality, Margie Fisher "was generally recognized as the dean of the statehouse press corps throughout the 1980s," according to the Associated Press; and WHEREAS, an experienced and tenacious reporter, Margie Fisher on many occasions out-maneuvered her colleagues from larger newspapers on reporting notable political stories; and WHEREAS, in 1990, Margie Fisher returned to Roanoke to work as an editorial writer for the Roanoke Times until retiring from the newspaper in 2001; and WHEREAS, Margie Fisher was the recipient of many awards and accolades over the years for her contributions to her profession and to her community, including the Press Woman of the Year award from Virginia Press Women in 1972 and the George Mason Award for her contributions to Virginia journalism from the Virginia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2001; and WHEREAS, Margie Fisher will be fondly remembered for her devotion to her family and greatly missed by her two sons and their spouses, Michael and his wife, Susan, and Jeffery and his wife, Lendy; her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her many other relatives and good friends; and her colleagues in the Capitol and across Virginia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine journalist and outstanding Virginian, Margie Fisher; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Margie Fisher as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory. |
