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2018 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 404
Commending the Virginia State Beekeepers Association.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2018
Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2018

 

WHEREAS, in 2018, the Virginia State Beekeepers Association will celebrate 100 years of promoting and advancing beekeeping in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, founded in 1918, the Virginia State Beekeepers Association (VSBA) is comprised of individual members and over 40 affiliated local organizations that are committed to preserving the art and science of beekeeping, sharing best practices, and educating the public about the agricultural importance of honey bees; and

WHEREAS, honey bees first arrived in the Commonwealth in 1622 as cargo for the Jamestown Colony and were an important asset for pollination, honey production, and beeswax production for both candles and medicinal use; the VSBA works to raise awareness that honey bees still play a vital role in food cultivation; in the Commonwealth, insects pollinate more than 100 different crops with an annual value of tens of millions of dollars; and

WHEREAS, with a mission to promote the value of beekeeping, the VSBA hosts regular meetings, conferences, and special events in which members can attend presentations and trade information about ways to effectively and sustainably maintain beehives; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of combating a nationwide decline in beekeeping, the VSBA works tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of honey bee colonies and encourage Virginians to take up beekeeping as an environmentally friendly hobby; and

WHEREAS, in addition, the VSBA operates a certification program that allows participants to progress through apprentice, journeyman, and master beekeeper levels by taking written tests and completing community service related to beekeeping; and

WHEREAS, throughout its history, the VSBA has been steadfast in its commitment to conserving the honey bee population and has served as an essential resource for beekeepers across the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia State Beekeepers Association on its service to the residents of the Commonwealth 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 Virginia State Beekeepers Association as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its efforts to promote beekeeping and raise awareness about the agricultural importance of honey bees.