WHEREAS, John Ray Grisham, Jr., the acclaimed best-selling author and longtime resident of the Commonwealth, was presented the Outstanding Virginian Award in 2024; and

WHEREAS, presented by the General Assembly's Outstanding Virginian Committee in conjunction with the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the Outstanding Virginian Award is considered the Commonwealth's highest civilian honor and is awarded to citizens, such as John Grisham, whose distinguished contributions, outstanding achievements, and dedicated leadership serve as an inspiration to all civic-minded citizens; and

WHEREAS, John Grisham earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981 and returned to his hometown of Southaven, Mississippi, to practice law; and

WHEREAS, motivated by his experiences with his working-class and indigent clients and the fact that Mississippi was the only state in the nation without a public kindergarten system at the time, John Grisham ran for a seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives and was elected in 1983; and

WHEREAS, over his two four-year terms as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, John Grisham introduced a number of bills to advance reforms in the areas of education, elections, public health, taxation, and corrections, though many of them never made it out of committee; and

WHEREAS, facing limited success as an attorney and legislator, John Grisham cultivated a secret hobby writing fiction, publishing his first book, A Time to Kill, in 1989; and

WHEREAS, John Grisham's second novel, The Firm, published in 1991, found a wide audience and launched the author into literary stardom, enabling him to close his law practice and devote himself to writing full time; and

WHEREAS, with remarkable work ethic and commitment to his craft, John Grisham has published nearly 50 novels over the past three decades, many of which have been adapted for popular films; and

WHEREAS, more than 400 million copies of John Grisham's gripping legal thrillers have been sold worldwide, making him one of the most well-known contemporary American authors and a fixture on The New York Times best seller list; and

WHEREAS, John Grisham has used his platform to advocate against wrongful convictions and serves on the boards of the Innocence Project in New York City and Centurion Ministries in Princeton, New Jersey, to advance this cause; and

WHEREAS, alongside his wife, Renee, John Grisham supports several organizations striving to bring an end to childhood hunger; and

WHEREAS, John Grisham has lived part time on a farm outside of Charlottesville for the past 30 years, becoming an active and integral member of the local community, in large part through his efforts as the patron and steward of the Cove Creek Park youth baseball and softball complex in Albemarle County; and

WHEREAS, John Grisham's accomplishments as an author and activist have made a meaningful impact on countless lives and are worthy of the esteem and admiration of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That John Ray Grisham, Jr., hereby be commended for receiving the 2024 Outstanding Virginian Award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Ray Grisham, Jr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his achievements and appreciation for his contributions to the Commonwealth.