HJ38: Celebrating the life of Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr.
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WHEREAS, Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr., of Richmond, a respected citizen and beloved radio personality, died on November 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS, a Richmond native, Harvey Hudson was born on September 21, 1921, the son of the late Harvey L. Hudson, Sr., and Mary Lillian Layman Hudson; he graduated from John Marshall High School, where he was a member of the school?s elite Cadet Corps; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson attended the University of Richmond and got his start in radio at WRVA in January 1940 as a part-time announcer after school doing station breaks and commercials; and
WHEREAS, as a young radio man, Harvey Hudson gained widespread acclaim by performing outrageous publicity stunts, including wearing women's bloomers at local events, driving around Richmond in his green ?Hudson Hornet,? and taking a dip in Fountain Lake at Byrd Park in a wash-and-wear suit; and
WHEREAS, during his long and distinguished broadcasting career, Harvey Hudson first worked as a popular announcer for WRVA radio in the early 1940s and then as a legendary morning personality for WLEE radio from 1946 to 1970, where he became general manager and vice president; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson served as vice president of Channel 8 television; as a savvy and experienced broadcaster, he was instrumental in bringing what is now FOX-35 television to Richmond in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, a pioneer in his field, Harvey Hudson was one of the founding owners of TVX Broadcasting Group with 13 television stations in the Eastern United States; TVX, which included Richmond's WRLH, was eventually sold to Paramount Pictures; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 Harvey Hudson's renowned radio show Harvey Hudson's Passing Parade celebrated its 13th year of broadcasting; and
WHEREAS, over the years Harvey Hudson received many accolades for his numerous contributions to his community and his profession, including the Frank Soden Lifetime Achievement award by the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson was honored in 2009 for his 70 years of outstanding service to his fellow citizens at a tribute dinner and roast at the Commonwealth Club in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, committed to helping his neighbors in need, Harvey Hudson was a faithful member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and will be greatly missed by his four children, nine grandchildren, and many other loving family members; his numerous friends and admirers; and the citizens of Virginia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a talented broadcaster and dedicated public servant, Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr.; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for his memory.
WHEREAS, Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr., of Richmond, a respected citizen and beloved radio personality, died on November 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS, a Richmond native, Harvey Hudson was born on September 21, 1921, the son of the late Harvey L. Hudson, Sr., and Mary Lillian Layman Hudson, and a graduate of John Marshall High School, where he was a member of the school’s elite Cadet Corps; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson attended the University of Richmond and got his start in radio at WRVA in January 1940 as a part-time announcer after school doing station breaks and commercials; and
WHEREAS, as a young radio man, Harvey Hudson gained widespread acclaim by performing outrageous publicity stunts, including wearing women's bloomers at local events, driving around Richmond in his green “Hudson Hornet,” and taking a dip in Fountain Lake at Byrd Park in a wash-and-wear suit; and
WHEREAS, during his long and distinguished broadcasting career, Harvey Hudson first worked as a popular announcer for WRVA radio in the early 1940s and then as a legendary morning personality for WLEE radio from 1946 to 1970, where he became general manager and vice president; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson served as vice president of Channel 8 television, and as a savvy and experienced broadcaster, he was instrumental in bringing what is now FOX-35 television to Richmond in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, a pioneer in his field, Harvey Hudson was one of the founding owners of TVX Broadcasting Group with 13 television stations in the Eastern United States that was eventually sold to Paramount Pictures, which included Richmond's WRLH; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Harvey Hudson's renowned radio show Harvey Hudson's Passing Parade celebrated its 13th year of broadcasting; and
WHEREAS, over the years Harvey Hudson received many accolades for his numerous contributions to his community and his profession, including the Frank Soden Lifetime Achievement award by the Richmond Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson was honored in 2009 for his 70 years of outstanding service to his fellow citizens at a tribute dinner and roast at the Commonwealth Club in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, committed to helping his neighbors in need, Harvey Hudson was a faithful member of Epiphany Lutheran Church and was active in the church's many missions in the community; and
WHEREAS, Harvey Hudson will be fondly remembered for his kind and generous nature and greatly missed by his four children, nine grandchildren, and many other loving family members; his numerous friends and admirers; and the citizens of Virginia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the loss of a talented broadcaster and dedicated public servant, Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr.; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
