Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 10, 1990 TAG: 9003102509
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A8 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Robert C. Norfleet, president-elect of the country club, said he and John H. Hager Jr., the president, delivered a letter to Wilder shortly after his inauguration offering him an honorary membership, The Richmond News Leader reported in Friday's editions.
An aide said Wilder has not decided whether to accept the invitation.
None of the club's 6,500 members is black, according to Norfleet, who said that to his knowledge, none has applied. He said applicants have to go through an involved process.
The club's bylaws for several years have specifically forbidden discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or handicapped status.
Although Wilder has not accepted, the invitation and club bylaws prohibiting discrimination appeared to have opened the way for General Assembly re-election Friday of Richmond Judge Walter W. "Pete" Stout III. Stout's term on the bench of Richmond General District Court, Civil Division, is to expire Wednesday and his membership in the club had cast doubts on his prospects for another term.
by CNB