THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290282
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Junius H. Williams, a well-known volunteer and community activist, was named Portsmouth's First Citizen for 1995.
He was the first African American to be given the award recognizing community service, said Sandy Craig, a spokeswoman for the group that presents the award.
The First Citizen is named by a sponsoring committee made up of former first citizens, members of the rotary club, the service league, the Kiwanis Club and the Lions Club. Thirteen people were nominated for the award for 1995.
In naming Williams, the committee said he has been a force in the community for good government, good schools, racial harmony, improved health care and economic development.
``He really has done more than anyone I know to promote and to help Portsmouth over the last five years - particularly in the last year,'' said Morton V. Whitlow, an attorney, former councilman and former first citizen himself.
Williams, who was in Richmond, got the news of his selection as Portsmouth's First Citizen via a telephone call from former First Citizen Maury Cooke.
``I was quite surprised,'' Williams said. ``When I look at the folks selected in the past and all they have done for Portsmouth, I can't hold a candle. . . . ``Being the first black selected is an honor, but just being selected is the real honor.''
Williams is president of the Portsmouth Schools Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors for Maryview Foundation, Medical College of Hampton Roads Foundation Development Committee, the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Norfolk Forum.
He is past president of the Portsmouth Partnership and past chairman of the board of directors for the Portsmouth division of the Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the city's industrial development authority and the Portsmouth Port Authority.
Williams also volunteered for a six-month stint on City Council in 1992 to fill in for L. Louise Lucas, who left office early when she was elected to the state Senate.
Williams is eastern division manager over Community and Government affairs for Virginia Power. While his office is in Norfolk, he lives in Portsmouth and volunteers much of his time there.
A native of Petersburg, he moved to Portsmouth in 1983. Williams earned a masters degree in economics and a bachelors degree from Virginia State University.
Williams will be honored at a banquet at the Portsmouth Holiday Inn on May 20. Tickets are $25 and will go on sale March 12. ILLUSTRATION: Junius H. Williams is the first African American to be honored
as First Citizen.
by CNB