CELEBRATING GEORGE MASON
Join the Virginia Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists as the group pays a birthday tribute to George Mason, on Sat., Dec. 13.
Mason, born in Fairfax County on Dec. 11, 1725, helped frame the Virginia Constitution and in 1776 wrote its Declaration of Rights, the forerunner of the Bill of Rights.
Mason recognized the importance of a free press, writing, “Freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of Liberty and can never be restrained but by despotick governments.”
SPJVA will honor Mason with the laying of a wreath at the Mason Memorial in DC and with a group reading of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. We’ll stop for lunch on the road to Mason Neck, where we will visit Gunston Hall, Mason’s home which is now a museum.
Tentatively joining us are members of SPJ DC Pro, Maryland Pro and the George Mason U. student chapter.
The day’s festivities will begin at 10 a.m. at the Mason memorial in DC.
Here are directions to the memorial: http://www.nps.gov/gemm/planyourvisit/directions.htm.
For further details, please contact Robyn Sidersky (rsidersky@freelancestar.com) or Paul Fletcher (pfletcher.spj@gmail.com).
SPJVA Today 