SJ 166 — Commending the Henrico Citizen.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 22106712D I SENATE JOfferedJOINT FebruaryRESOLUTION 28,NO. 2022 N Commending the Henrico Citizen.

––––––––––166 TE Patrons––McClellan;Commending the Henrico Citizen.

Delegates:N Agreed to by the Senate, March 3, 2022 R Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 7, 2022 O WHEREAS, the Henrico Citizen, a cherished hometown news source for residents of Henrico L County, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021;

Adams,and D.M.,L Bagby,WHEREAS, McQuinn,since VanValkenburgits andfounding Willettin R2001, –––––––––– O WHEREAS, the Henrico Citizen,Citizen ahas cherishedbeen hometownowned newsand sourceoperated forby residentswith ofa Henricodegree County,in celebratedjournalism itsfrom 20ththe anniversaryUniversity inof 2021;Richmond;

andandr Downer publishershortly Tomafter Lappas,graduating whoE embarkedWHEREAS, uponthe hisinaugural careerprint asedition aof newspaperthe ownerHenrico shortlyCitizen afterran graduatingon withSeptember a20, degree2001, incarrying journalismD from the Universityheadline "New North Park Library Dedicated," an indication of Richmond;the local coverage that would serve as the outlet's prime focus;

and WHEREAS,define the inaugural print edition of the Henrico CitizenCounty, ranwhile onalso Septembercovering 20, 2001, carrying the headlinevarious "New North Park Library Dedicated," an indication of the local coverageissues that wouldEserveare aspertinent theto outlet'sits primeresidents; focus;

and WHEREAS, the Henrico Citizen featuresis storiesa thatmember highlightof the people,Virginia places,Press Association, and eventsits thatstaff andinehave HenricoearWHEREAS, County,the whileaccomplishments alsoof covering the variousHenrico localCitizen issueshave thatbeen aremade pertinentpossible tothrough itstheising; residents;

WHEREAS,and theJ Henriconewspaper's Citizensterling isleadership, aincluding memberlongtime ofmanaging theeditor VirginiaPatty PressKruszewski Association,and online and its6 staffevents haveeditor earnedSarah Story, as well as the tireless efforts of more than 230100 awardswriters, oversalespeople, theR pastcontributors, 20and yearsinterns forwho excellencehave inserved journalismthe andpaper advertising;over the years;

and WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Henrico Citizen have been made possible through the newspaper's sterling leadership, including longtime managing editor Patty Kruszewski and online and events editor Sarah Story, as well as the tireless efforts of more than 100 writers, salespeople, conWHEREAS, despite ending its print edition in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Henrico Citizen continues to reach its audience through various digital platforms, including its website, email newsletter, regular podcasts, and social media;

and WHEREAS, the Henrico Citizen has seen its readership increase to more than 70,000 unique readers per month since shifting completely online, and its writers have responded by producing more than 2,300 articles, briefs, event notices, and other types of coverage over the past year;

andandre than WHEREAS, the Henrico Citizen was one of three Virginia news organizations to receive funding through the Facebook Journalism Project's COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program in 2020 and was one of only two newsrooms in the Commonwealth to be selected to host a Report for America corpscorWHEREAS, memberreflecting the importance of an educated citizenry to the health of American democracy, the Henrico Citizen may be regarded as playing an indispensable role in 2021;society's pursuit of liberty and justice for all;

andnow, WHEREAS,therefore, reflectingbe theit importancecommend of an educated citizenry to the health of American democracy, the Henrico Citizen mayon bethe regardedoccasion as playing an indispensable role in society's pursuit of libertyits and20th :anniversary;

35and, justicebe itAssembly hereby RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for all;presentation to Tom Lappas, publisher of the Henrico Citizen, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the newspaper's contributions to the Commonwealth.

now, therefore, be it 37 commend the Henrico Citizen on the occasion of its 20th anniversary;

and, be itAssembly hereby 38 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 39 presentation to Tom Lappas, publisher of the Henrico Citizen, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the newspaper's contributions to the Commonwealth.