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2016 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 105
Commending the Emporia Rotary Club.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 5, 2016

 

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Emporia Rotary Club celebrates 70 years of generous community service, outreach to those in need, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, the Emporia Rotary Club was chartered on May 7, 1946, and had 17 founding members; the first president of the service organization was Lee J. Spangler; and

WHEREAS, from the beginning, members of the Emporia Rotary Club supported community organizations and institutions, including local Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, the Boys State summer leadership program for high school students, and Jackson-Feild Homes; and

WHEREAS, a popular Pancake Day fundraising event continued into the 1960s; additionally, the Emporia Rotary Club sponsored basketball games that were held at the National Guard Armory and sold first-aid kits; and

WHEREAS, in the 1970s, as membership in the Emporia Rotary Club increased, the group expanded its outreach efforts to include several large donations to the local hospital for the purchase of permanent equipment, thereby aiding patients from throughout the area; and

WHEREAS, membership in the Emporia Rotary Club increased to 60 people in the 1980s, and the club took part in many more community activities; a Spaghetti Day project was started during this time, and the club also awarded scholarships to outstanding students; and

WHEREAS, generous donations to worthwhile community endeavors have been a hallmark of the Emporia Rotary Club; the organization has contributed to the Emporia Volunteer Fire Department, the Greensville Volunteer Rescue Squad, the local department of social services, the Christmas Happiness Fund, and many other worthwhile community programs; and

WHEREAS, area beautification efforts have benefited from the work of the Emporia Rotary Club; the group has donated funds for the planting of azalea bushes in Meherrin River Park, and members also helped build the pavilion at Veteran’s Memorial Park and sponsored renovations at the Emporia Community Youth Center; and

WHEREAS, Rotary clubs throughout the world have united to eradicate polio, and the Emporia Rotary Club has strongly supported the effort; the group has donated thousands of dollars to the PolioPlus program and continues to raise money to fight the paralyzing and potentially fatal disease; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Emporia Rotary Club continues its proud tradition of strengthening the community through outreach and philanthropy; the club will work with the local library to develop an outdoor meditation area for young people and will award scholarships, support leadership training for young people, and continue to support polio eradication efforts worldwide; and

WHEREAS, with a long history of outstanding community service, the members of the Emporia Rotary Club have readily provided a helping hand to people in need and have supported many local, state, national, and international humanitarian efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Emporia Rotary Club hereby be commended on the occasion of its 70th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Holtkamp, president of the Emporia Rotary Club, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ congratulations and admiration for its many years of service and generous support to the people of Emporia and the Commonwealth.