2010 SESSION

INTRODUCED REPRINT

10103123D INTRODUCED 1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 57 2 Offered January 13, 2010 3 Prefiled January 12, 2010 4 Celebrating the life of Frank K. Batten, Sr. 5 ±±±±±±±±±± Patron±±Miller, Y.B. 6 ±±±±±±±±±± 7 WHEREAS, Frank K. Batten, Sr., a giant in the communications industry and dedicated 8 philanthropist, died on September 10, 2009; and 9 WHEREAS, a native of Norfolk, Frank Batten graduated from Culver Military Academy, received a 10 bachelor©s degree from the , and a master©s in business administration from 11 Harvard Business School; and 12 WHEREAS, a fierce competitor with high ethical standards and a visionary mind, Frank Batten built 13 a media empire from a pair of local papers, becoming publisher of The Virginian-Pilot and chairman of 14 its parent company, now known as Landmark Media Enterprises, LLC, and launching The Weather 15 Channel in 1982; and 16 WHEREAS, in the 1950s, Frank Batten authorized editorials and organized an ad from business 17 leaders to oppose the Massive Resistance movement, which closed the Norfolk Schools rather than 18 integrate them; and 19 WHEREAS, mindful of the opportunities that higher education can bring, Frank Batten graciously 20 supported educational institutions and causes, including substantial and generous gifts to Virginia 21 Wesleyan College, , and the University of Virginia; and

22 WHEREAS, in 1988, Frank Batten, along with Joshua Darden, Jr., cofounded the ACCESS College SJ57 23 Foundation, which assists students attending the 29 public high schools in the South Hampton Roads 24 area in pursuing higher education through the placement of advisors in the schools to guide students 25 through the process of enrolling in and obtaining financial assistance and scholarships for college; and 26 WHEREAS, since its inception, the ACCESS College Foundation has helped over 30,000 students to 27 attend college and receive more than $235 million in financial aid; and 28 WHEREAS, a brilliant businessman and compassionate individual, Frank Batten saw the potential of 29 the ACCESS College Foundation as an investment in the future, with returns that never can be truly 30 measured on the individual students impacted, their families, and the economy of the Commonwealth; 31 and 32 WHEREAS, a respected leader in business and in life, Frank Batten leaves behind a legacy of 33 excellence and service for others to emulate; and 34 WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Frank Batten will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 52 35 years, Jane; their children, Frank, Leela, and Dorothy and their families; and his numerous friends and

8:7 36 admirers; now, therefore, be it 37 RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with 38 great sadness the loss of a fine businessman and community leader and an outstanding Virginian, Frank

3/13/10 39 K. Batten, Sr.; and, be it 40 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 41 presentation to the family of Frank K. Batten, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly©s respect 42 for his memory.