[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 32 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF JOHN STEWART BRYAN III

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBERT HURT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 29, 2016

  Mr. HURT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Dave Brat and I submit 
these remarks to commemorate the life of John Stewart Bryan who passed 
away January 23, 2016 at the age of 77.
  During Mr. Bryan's more than 50-year career, he worked as a newspaper 
journalist, served as publisher of four newspapers, the Richmond Times-
Dispatch, Richmond News Leader, The Tampa Tribune, and The Tampa Times, 
and later became the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive of Media 
General. Mr. Bryan proudly and accurately referred to himself as a 
``newspaperman.''
  J. Stewart Bryan III was born on May 4, 1938 in Richmond. A Virginian 
through and through, he attended St. Christopher's School in Richmond, 
the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, and the University of 
Virginia. Afterwards, he served our country as an infantry officer in 
the U.S. Marine Corps.
  Mr. Bryan's accolades were numerous and well deserved. He was awarded 
honorary doctor of humane letters degrees from Hampden-Sydney College, 
Emory & Henry College, College of William & Mary, and Randolph-Macon 
College, and he was inducted as a laureate of the Virginia 
Communications Hall of Fame and the Richmond Business Hall of Fame. He 
also received the outstanding service award of the Florida Press 
Association, the lifetime achievement award of the Virginia Press 
Association, the Frank Mayborn Leadership Award of the Southern 
Newspaper Publishers Association, the George Mason Award for 
significant contributions to the advancement of journalism in Virginia 
from the Society of Professional Journalists, Virginia Pro Chapter 
(SPJVA), and the medal of honor of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution. Moreover, he was well known for supporting, and when 
necessary staunchly defending, his staff, and he fought steadfastly for 
the freedom of press.
  But perhaps, his career and his passion are best summed up by the 
Richmond Times-Dispatch in an editorial after his passing: ``Stewart 
Bryan's heart pumped ink. He devoted his life to newspapers. A life 
devoted to print is a life devoted to time and place. Bryan loved 
Richmond. He considered The Times-Dispatch and News Leader vehicles of 
public service. When the press does its job, it improves its 
surroundings. Bryan may have belonged to a newspaper family but he 
answered a vocation's call.''
  He is survived by his wife, Lisa-Margaret ``Lissy'' Stevenson Bryan: 
his daughters, Elizabeth Talbott Bryan Maxey ``Talbott'', and Anna 
Saulsbury Bryan (Stephen) Sullivan. Five grandchildren: Tennant and 
Alice Maxey, and Pryor, Stewart, and Harriett Sullivan. Two sisters: 
Mary Tennant Bryan Perkins and Florence Talbott Bryan Fowlkes.
  Our thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Bryan family. Stewart 
Bryan's dedication to his craft is unmatched and admirable; he will be 
sorely missed.

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