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2016 SESSION

16104096D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 135
Offered January 28, 2016
Commending the Town of Tazewell.
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Patrons-- Chafin; Delegate: Rasoul
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WHEREAS, exploration of the area known today as Tazewell dates to the early 1700s when groups of hunters from eastern Virginia first explored the area that is now called Southwest Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 1773, William Peery and Samuel Ferguson settled the area that would become the Town of Tazewell; and

WHEREAS, on land provided by William Peery, the General Assembly in 1800 established the seat of a new Virginia county, Tazewell County; and

WHEREAS, the county seat was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson who was sworn in as the country’s third President that year and had received every vote from the citizens in the area that would become known as Jeffersonville; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly incorporated the Town of Jeffersonville in 1866; and

WHEREAS, on February 29, 1892, the Town of Jeffersonville was renamed the Town of Tazewell by the General Assembly because it was commonly referred to as “Tazewell Court House,” causing considerable confusion; and

WHEREAS, Tazewell began to grow as a center of commerce and in 1892 became the smallest town in America with a street car when the first trolleys—pulled by horse or mule—were used; in 1904 the Town of Tazewell upgraded to electric trolley cars; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Tazewell and its neighbor, the Town of North Tazewell, merged on January 1, 1963; and

WHEREAS, today the Town of Tazewell is home to more than 6,000 residents; and

WHEREAS, Tazewell is located at the headwaters of the Clinch River; the springs of Tazewell eventually become part of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, and ultimately flow into the Mississippi River; and

WHEREAS, Tazewell is an energetic and vibrant community rich in history and natural beauty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Town of Tazewell on the occasion of its 150th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the mayor of Tazewell as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for the vibrant and growing community of Tazewell in Southwest Virginia.