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2011 SESSION

11105423D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 505
Offered February 21, 2011
Commending the Woman’s Club of Newport News.
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Patrons-- Miller, J.C., Locke and Norment
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WHEREAS, in 2011, the Woman’s Club of Newport News will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, initially organized in 1911 as the Ladies Literary Club, the Woman’s Club of Newport News was organized with 40 members, Mrs. W.H. Harwood presiding; and

WHEREAS, after changing the name of the organization to the Woman’s Club of Newport News in 1913, the club joined the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs in March of 1916; and

WHEREAS, during World War I, the Woman’s Club of Newport News contributed to efforts on the home front by entertaining service members, conducting Liberty Loan drives, making thousands of Red Cross bandages, selling bonds, and working draft and rationing boards; and

WHEREAS, the first Junior Woman’s Club in the Commonwealth was organized in 1923–1924 as a department of the Woman’s Club of Newport News; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, the Woman’s Club of Newport News graciously opened the clubhouse on 32nd Street to servicemen for use as a recreational center, where members served as hostesses, and later to the Port Authority as an officer’s club; and

WHEREAS, in 1948, the Woman’s Club of Newport News saw the successful launch of the Des Moines class cruiser that the club had been instrumental in having named the Newport News; the cruiser carried a silver tea service donated by the club; and

WHEREAS, in 1960, the Woman’s Club of Newport News volunteered with the Easter Seals to provide audiometric screenings to all children in Newport News; in later years volunteers extended these efforts to York County and Hampton; and

WHEREAS, Santa House, a major annual fundraiser of the Woman’s Club of Newport News that funds many of the club’s outreach projects, began in 1977; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, the Woman’s Club of Newport News received national recognition from the General Foundation of Woman’s Clubs and the United States Air Force for the “Hands Up Against Crime” project; and

WHEREAS, the Woman’s Club of Newport News presented the Kids and Kindness Banner to President George Bush in Washington, D.C., in 1990; and

WHEREAS, following devastating damage done by Hurricane Isabel in 2003, members of the Woman’s Club of Newport News assisted with clean up and recovery efforts; and

WHEREAS, for a century, the Woman’s Club of Newport News has selected worthy causes and its members have dedicated their pooled resources and countless hours of service to support and provide for those in great need; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Woman’s Club of Newport News 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 Woman’s Club of Newport News as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the dedication the club has shown to the Newport News community and to the Commonwealth.