Deseret News Publisher Wm. James Mortimer was recently awarded the Silver Good Citizenship Medal by the Utah Society of the Sons of the American Revolution at its annual meeting and awards banquet.
Mortimer, who addressed the meeting at the Alta Club, was recognized for his leadership in the news media, community and other service."Our distinguished honoree exemplifies the axiom that the stature and greatness of a person is measured by his service to others," said R. Bert Carter, Bountiful, former president of the state society who presented the award.
Mortimer has been Deseret News publisher since 1985. Before that he was director of the Printing Services Division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He has been active in Scouting, the United Way, Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce and many other community organizations. A journalism graduate from Utah State and Columbia universities, Mortimer was presented the 1991 Professional Achievement Award by the USU College of Business and the 1995 Distinguished Citizen Award and the Silver Beaver Award in 1996 from the Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Leland H. Jorgensen, Sandy, a retired National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist, was presented the Patriot Medal for his service to the society. The honor is the highest award given by the state agency to one of its members.
Meritorious Service Medals were presented to Robert L. West, Ogden, and Frank S. Wilcox and Franklin M. Wolfe, both of Salt Lake City. They are society members.
William R. Ward, also Salt Lake City, received the Oliver R. Smith and Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Awards for "outstanding membership development."
Ben L. Allen, Salt Lake City, was elected president of the Utah society for 1997-1998. Other officers are Dr. Paul L. Child, Ogden, first vice president; Eric Dan Richhart, Magna, secretary-treasurer; Lynn S. Richards, Salt Lake City, chancellor; Wolfe, chaplain; Ward, genealogist; and Larry L. Piatt, Salt Lake City, registrar.
Sons of the American Revolution is a patriotic organization that has about 125 Utah members. Members must have an ancestor who was a patriot or soldier in the American Revolution. The society promotes the ideals of freedom and democracy and works to honor the memory and sacrifices of early American colonists.