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1996 SESSION

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 317 Commending Ruritan on its 68th anniversary.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 1996 Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 1996

WHEREAS, the idea of Ruritan, one of America's leading community service organizations, was conceived 68 years ago in Holland, Virginia, and 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, making Ruritan one of the largest community service organizations in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to creating a better understanding among people through fellowship, goodwill and volunteer community service; and to 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 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 urged to commend and emulate the "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service" activities of their local Ruritan club and other Ruritan clubs throughout the Commonwealth.