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2016 SESSION

16103238D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 130
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 12, 2016
Commending the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.
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Patrons-- Wilt, Landes and Rasoul; Senators: Hanger and Obenshain
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WHEREAS, for 100 years, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce has provided local businesses with the tools and support to succeed and grow and has worked to strengthen the entire community; and

WHEREAS, established by a group of local residents in 1916, what was then known as the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce set out to advance the commercial, industrial, civic, and social interests of the town under the leadership of the organization’s first president, J. A. Burruss; and

WHEREAS, in the 1930s, the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce facilitated the creation of county fairs and events; the chamber worked with First National Bank to establish the Turkey Festival, featuring the popular turkey toss; and

WHEREAS, having grown to 108 members from throughout the region, the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce voted in 1935 to change its name to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce continued to expand and grow, creating the Civic/County Community Fund, Inc., in 1957 to raise funds in support of nonprofit civic organizations; the organization is now known as the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce founded what is now Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham, which has graduated more than 850 aspiring local leaders; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce initiated a program to discuss the future of the community and the region; the successful dialogue resulted in the creation of the Building Optimal Leaders by Design program, a revitalization of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership’s Workforce and Education Committee, and greater coordination of entrepreneur and economic development activities; and

WHEREAS, with nearly 900 members, a 29-member board of directors, and a dedicated staff, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business associations on the I-81 corridor and it has helped make Harrisonburg and Rockingham County thriving, dynamic communities that are full of opportunities for businesses and residents; now, therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s work to help the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County communities grow.