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2006 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 251
Commending the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 2, 2006
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2006
 

WHEREAS, established in 1906, under the belief that they could make Alexandria a better place to live and work, the members of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce have provided 100 years of outstanding service to the community; and

WHEREAS, in the early years, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce fought for farmers, ranchers, and the poor; raised money for the Red Cross; and assisted the United States Public Health Service in inoculating residents against typhoid and smallpox; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1914, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing, an issue it actively continues to work on today; supported the placement of signs for street names, house numbers, good sidewalks, and street lighting, so the postal service could deliver mail; launched a tree planting campaign to plant 25 to 40 trees annually; and supported many other projects in the community; and

WHEREAS, since 1918, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has provided a strong voice for Alexandria businesses before the City Council and has promoted and developed strong leaders over the years through comprehensive leadership programs; and

WHEREAS, in 1925, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce sponsored a meeting to establish the Shenandoah National Park; in 1939, it petitioned the City with 2,200 names to establish the Department of Parks and Playgrounds; and in 1952, it petitioned the City Council to construct a sewage disposal plant; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce worked with Del Ray to launch a 30-year revitalization plan for Mount Vernon Avenue in 1967; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce promoted a commuter carpooling service to ease congestion in 1974 and launched the Chamber’s Home Repair Task Force in 1975 to help elderly and low-income residents; and

WHEREAS, in the 1980s, the Chamber created the “Alexandria Business Cares” campaign, which later became the Alexandria Education Partnership, encouraging businesses and professionals to support a wide variety of nonprofit and charitable activities in the city; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has always made support of the arts and education a vital part of its mission; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has been actively involved in fostering economic development and urban renewal and planning; bringing new business and industry to the city; promoting small business initiatives; and representing the business point of view to government officials at the local, state, and national levels; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has been honored for its outstanding public service with such awards as the George Washington Leadership medals and the Public Safety Valor Awards for exemplary police, sheriff, and fire departments; and

WHEREAS, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has made significant contributions to the daily quality of life for the citizens of the City of Alexandria; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for continued success in the future.