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2020 SESSION

20108291D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 335
Offered February 26, 2020
Commending the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
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Patrons-- Coyner, Brewer and Aird; Senator: Morrissey
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WHEREAS, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce, which originated in December 1915 and was incorporated five years later as the Hopewell Chamber of Commerce, is celebrating 100 years of service in 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in helping the City of Hopewell recover from the fire of 1915 and built relationships over the years that would guide the city through the marketing of a war surplus plant site and the establishment of numerous factories and a retail district; and

WHEREAS, the chamber officially changed its name to the Hopewell Area Prince George Chamber of Commerce in January 1975 and is now known as the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, in each decade since its founding, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce has focused on impactful projects, including an initiative that marketed Hopewell as “America’s Greatest Industrial Opportunity” and ambitious programs to replace ferries with bridges and ensure proper signage along interstate highways; and

WHEREAS, over the past quarter century, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce has launched programs to help youth in the community develop soft skills, obtain work experience, strengthen career awareness, and improve their performance in job interviews; and

WHEREAS, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce supported Fort Lee and the Crater region through three federal base realignment and closure rounds, including in 2005, when Fort Lee was expanded significantly and both its population and number of facilities doubled; and

WHEREAS, most recently, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce expanded to manage a certified Virginia Visitor Center, promoting the Commonwealth and fostering quality-of-life initiatives that attract visitors and benefit citizens; and

WHEREAS, some of the early members of the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce are still in business today, even if under different names and corporate structures, and are recognized for their efforts to promote business and commerce in the community; and

WHEREAS, some of these early members of the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce include Ashland, Inc. (formerly Hercules, Inc.), DuPont, AdvanSix (formerly Allied Chemical), WestRock (formerly Hummel-Ross Fibre Corp.), J. W. Enochs, Inc., Marks & Harrison, The Progress-Index, Appomattox Regional Library System, Hopewell Iron & Metal Company, J.T. Morriss & Son, The Bank of Southside Virginia, and John Randolph Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce is a trusted resource to a transient community, thereby helping employers, employees, and military families connect and thrive; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Hopewell/Prince George 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 Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s service to the communities of Hopewell and Prince George County.