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1998 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 327
Commending Ruritan on its 70th anniversary.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 30, 1998
Agreed to by the Senate, February 5, 1998

WHEREAS, the idea of Ruritan, one of America's leading community service organizations, was conceived 70 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, with headquarters in Dublin, Virginia, Ruritan has grown nationally to include over 33,850 men and women with 1,330 clubs in 25 states; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth ranks first in Ruritan membership with more than 13,000 members in some 450 clubs, ranking Ruritan among the largest community service organizations in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, through the efforts of former national president Garland Gray, the Ruritan National Foundation was established in 1949 and today has assets nearing two million dollars, funds that are used to provide scholarships and loans to deserving students; 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's 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 70 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 70th 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.