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1996 SESSION

961571204
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 281
Offered January 22, 1996
Commending the City of Newport News on the occasion of its centennial celebration.
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Patrons-- Diamonstein, Abbitt, Almand, Barlow, Behm, Christian, Cooper, Cranwell, Crittenden, DeBoer, Grayson, Hamilton, Phillips, Reynolds, Robinson, Spruill, Stump and Van Yahres; Senators: Maxwell, Norment and Williams
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WHEREAS, on January 16, 1896, by Act of the General Assembly, the City of Newport News was created; and

WHEREAS, the history of Newport News began nearly 400 years ago, with the probable landing of Christopher Newport, Captain of the Susan Constant, at a spring near what is now downtown Newport News; and

WHEREAS, "Newport's News" is referred to in Virginia Company records as early as 1619; and

WHEREAS, in the late 19th century, industrialist Collis B. Huntington, referred to by some as a robber-baron, was searching for a suitable deep-water port to serve as the terminus of his Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad; and

WHEREAS, the unique attractions of Newport News attracted Huntington, who is widely credited for the development of the modern City of Newport News; and

WHEREAS, due largely to Huntington's charter for the Chesapeake Dry Dock & Construction Company, which became Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News grew quickly into a busy port city; and

WHEREAS, in 1896, the leaders of Newport News sought incorporation from the General Assembly, which granted the charter so that the citizens "shall have, exercise and enjoy all the rights, immunities, powers and privileges conferred upon cities by law"; and

WHEREAS, in 1958, after years of negotiations, the City of Newport News grew substantially through consolidation with Warwick, creating what at the time was Virginia's largest city in land area and third-largest in population; and

WHEREAS, built on the port and shipbuilding industries created by Collis P. Huntington, the modern and more diversified City of Newport News looks to its second century as a city proud of its past and confident of its future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby congratulate the City of Newport News on the occasion of its centennial celebration; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mary Sherwood Holt, Chairwoman of the Newport News Centennial Celebration Commission, in honor of the 100th anniversary of this historic, vibrant, and beautiful city.