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1996 SESSION

966001378
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 317
Offered February 8, 1996
Commending Ruritan on its 68th anniversary.
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Patrons-- Nelms, Abbitt, Albo, Almand, Armstrong, Baker, Barlow, Behm, Bennett, Bloxom, Brickley, Bryant, Callahan, Cantor, Christian, Clement, Connally, Cooper, Councill, Cox, Cranwell, Crittenden, Croshaw, Crouch, Cunningham, Darner, Davies, DeBoer, Deeds, Diamonstein, Dickinson, Dillard, Drake, Dudley, Fisher, Forbes, Grayson, Griffith, Guest, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Harris, Heilig, Howell, Hull, Ingram, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., Katzen, Keating, Kilgore, Landes, May, McClure, McDonnell, McEachin, Melvin, Mims, Moore, Moran, Morgan, Moss, Murphy, Nixon, O'Brien, Orrock, Parrish, Phillips, Plum, Puller, Purkey, Putney, Reid, Reynolds, Rhodes, Rollison, Ruff, Scott, Sherwood, Shuler, Spruill, Stump, Tata, Tate, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Wagner, Wardrup, Watkins, Watts, Way, Weatherholtz, Wilkins and Woodrum
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Consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, the idea of Ruritan, one of America's leading community service organizations, was conceived 68 years ago in Holland, Virginia, as reported in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: "Men of Holland, Nansemond County, and the vicinity, numbering some of the outstanding men of the community, met last night thirty-three strong, around a banquet table at the Holland Hotel, to discuss the organization of a civic club composed of farmers and men interested in rural occupations, which they hope will be the first of a great chain of similar clubs in small country communities"; and

WHEREAS, one month later, on May 21, 1928, the club officially organized with 35 charter members and adopted the name "Ruritan," which is the combination of two Latin words--"ruri," meaning "open country," and "tan," meaning "small town"--together interpreted as "pertaining to rural and small town life"; and

WHEREAS, 68 years later, with headquarters in Dublin, Virginia, Ruritan has grown nationally to include over 37,000 men and women, with almost 1,400 clubs in 26 states; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth ranks first in Ruritan membership with almost 14,000 members in 466 clubs, ranking Ruritan among the largest community service organizations in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, dedicated during these 68 years to creating a better understanding among people through fellowship, goodwill, and volunteer community service, making the local community a better place in which to live, Virginia Ruritans have made substantial and sustained contributions to the welfare of fellow citizens in hundreds of communities throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and recognize 68 years of Ruritan "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service" in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That all Virginia communities be encouraged to proclaim the 68th Anniversary of Ruritan; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That all Virginians be encouraged to commend and emulate the "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service" activities of their local Ruritan club or other Ruritan clubs throughout the Commonwealth.