Bill Text: VA SJR157 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending American Legion Post 290.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ157ER) [SJR157 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-SJR157-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, in 2014, American Legion Post 290 in Stafford celebrates 68 years of advocacy for and service to veterans and active duty members of the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, American Legion Post 290 was chartered on August 3, 1946, a year after the end of World War II; its first commander was James Ashby, Jr.; from its beginnings, the post has benefited from the strong support and backing of the Stafford County community; and WHEREAS, also in 1946, the national American Legion enjoyed its single largest annual increase in membership nationally and in the Commonwealth; 2014 marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the American Legion; and WHEREAS, the goals of American Legion Post 290 are to instill a sense of individual responsibility to the community, the Commonwealth, and the nation; to safeguard the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; and to provide mutual helpfulness; and WHEREAS, as American Legion Post 290 grew, its civic involvement increased as it initiated many activities for the residents of Stafford County; members of the post assumed a leadership role in the Commonwealth, and today, the post has about 600 members; and WHEREAS, in 1966, two decades after the post was chartered, Wilbur L. Gray of American Legion Post 290, was elected to the statewide position of department commander, assuming leadership of all American Legion posts in the Commonwealth; and WHEREAS, advocacy and assistance are hallmarks of the American Legion's work with veterans and service members; the Legionnaires of Post 290 have ably assisted fellow veterans and their families in times of need; and WHEREAS, members of American Legion Post 290 serve as liaisons between veterans and government agencies when a person applies for benefits or seeks medical or financial assistance; the post also offers financial support to veterans in times of hardship; and WHEREAS, American Legion Post 290 sponsors the Venturing Program of the Boy Scouts of America, American Legion Baseball, the Legion Oratorical Contest, Boys State and Girls State leadership and citizenship programs, the Junior Shooting Sports Program, and the Junior Law Cadet program; and WHEREAS, in Stafford County, the members of American Legion Post 290 sponsor a Christmas Basket program and plan several activities for children, including an annual Easter Egg hunt, a Halloween party, and a Christmas party; and WHEREAS, today, American Legion Post 290 is one of the leading posts in the Commonwealth and takes pride in being one of the most nationally recognized posts in the nation; much of its success is due to the post's close ties to Unit 290 of the American Legion Auxiliary; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend American Legion Post 290 in Stafford for its many years of advocacy for and service to veterans and active duty members of the United States Armed Forces; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mike Scullin, commander of American Legion Post 290, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and admiration for its efforts to uphold American values and provide support to veterans and military service members. |
