HR283: Celebrating the life of Jack W. Gravely.


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 283
Celebrating the life of Jack W. Gravely.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 13, 2017

 

WHEREAS, Jack W. Gravely, a Richmond radio talk show host, state and national civil rights advocate, and community leader, died on August 15, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely was a native of Pocahontas and the seventh of 12 children born to the late Clarence and Causby Gravely; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely earned a degree in history and government from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and received a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law; he served in a combat support unit in Vietnam in between earning the two degrees; and

WHEREAS, in September 1995, Jack Gravely was appointed the first director of diversity at the Federal Communications Commission; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely worked at the state and national level of the NAACP for 16 years, serving two stints as the head of the Virginia State Conference NAACP and as a special assistant to then-national NAACP Executive Director Benjamin L. Hooks; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely gained recognition across the Commonwealth as a frequent guest on local public affairs shows and as the host of a talk show on WRVA-AM in Richmond from 1996 to 2002; at the time of his death he was the host of “The Jack Gravely Show” on Richmond’s Rejoice 990 WREJ-AM (formerly WLEE-AM); and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely graced national television airwaves, his commentary appeared regularly in local and national newspapers, and he was a sought-after speaker, delivering over 600 speeches across the country and in Canada; and

WHEREAS, guided by faith and grounded in family devotion, Jack Gravely was baptized at an early age and was a member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Petersburg, where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board, Male Usher Ministry, and Nehemiah Group Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely’s example of faithfulness, demonstration of dignity, and grace will forever inspire the lives of all of those who he touched, especially his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Barbara; children, Chekesha, Kimya, Kia, Tony, Tonya, and Randy, and their families; and numerous relatives and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jack W. Gravely, radio talk show host, civil rights advocate, and community leader; 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 Jack W. Gravely as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 283

Offered January 11, 2017
Prefiled January 11, 2017
Celebrating the life of Jack W. Gravely.
Patron-- Aird

WHEREAS, Jack W. Gravely, a Richmond radio talk show host, state and national civil rights advocate, and community leader, died on August 15, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely was a native of Pocahontas and the seventh of 12 children born to the late Clarence and Causby Gravely; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely earned a degree in history and government from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and received a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law; he served in a combat support unit in Vietnam in between earning the two degrees; and

WHEREAS, in September 1995, Jack Gravely was appointed the first director of diversity at the Federal Communications Commission; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely worked at the state and national level of the NAACP for 16 years, serving two stints as the head of the Virginia State Conference NAACP and as a special assistant to then-national NAACP Executive Director Benjamin L. Hooks; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely gained notoriety across the Commonwealth as a frequent guest on local public affairs shows and as the host of a talk show on WRVA-AM in Richmond from 1996 to 2002; at the time of his death he was the host of “The Jack Gravely Show” on Richmond’s Rejoice 990 WREJ-AM (formerly WLEE-AM); and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely graced national television airwaves, his commentary appeared regularly in local and national newspapers, and he was a sought-after speaker, delivering over 600 speeches across the country and in Canada; and

WHEREAS, guided by faith and grounded in family devotion, Jack Gravely was baptized at an early age and was a member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Petersburg, where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board, Male Usher Ministry, and Nehemiah Group Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely’s example of faithfulness, demonstration of dignity, and grace will forever inspire the lives of all of those who he touched, especially his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Jack Gravely will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Barbara; children, Chekesha, Kimya, Kia, Tony, Tonya, and Randy, and their families; and numerous relatives and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jack W. Gravely, radio talk show host, civil rights advocate, and community leader; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jack W. Gravely as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.