Bill Text: VA HJR357 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Kings Dominion.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-05 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ357ER) [HJR357 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-HJR357-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Kings Dominion, an amusement park in Hanover County, has entertained generations of families from throughout the Commonwealth and the United States and spurred beneficial growth in Hanover County for 40 years; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion broke ground in 1973 with a mission to offer a new and exciting amusement park that was centrally located on the East Coast; the Lion Country Safari opened in 1974 and offered visitors the exciting opportunity to see over 100 types of exotic birds and animals; and WHEREAS, on May 3, 1975, Kings Dominion officially opened, welcoming over 1.5 million guests in its first season to enjoy five uniquely themed areas—International Street, Old Virginia, Coney Island, The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera, and Lion Country Safari; and WHEREAS, the original guests to Kings Dominion enjoyed the thrilling Rebel Yell twin roller coaster, which still races to this day; musical reviews in the Mason-Dixon Music Hall; and breathtaking views from the park's 332-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower; and WHEREAS, the park continued to grow through the 1970s, opening the Kings Dominion Campground, re-theming Coney Island as the Candy Apple Grove, and building the Lost World Mountain, which contained three rides and today houses the innovative Volcano roller coaster; and WHEREAS, in the 1980s, Kings Dominion added what is now known as Kingswood Amphitheatre, a 7,500-seat outdoor venue that has hosted hundreds of concerts; during the 1986 season, the park passed the two million attendance mark for the first time, further cementing it as one of the premier amusement parks in the eastern United States; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion added several new attractions in the 1990s, including the Hurricane Reef Water Park (now WaterWorks); the world's first linear induction launch-style indoor coaster, The Outer Limits (now Flight of Fear); and the Anaconda, the first looping roller coaster to feature an underwater tunnel; and WHEREAS, earning national recognition, Kings Dominion continued to expand its thrill rides in the new millennium; in 2008, the park added the Dominator, which was the longest floorless roller coaster in the world at the time and boasted one of the largest vertical loops; and WHEREAS, to celebrate the park's 35th anniversary, Kings Dominion opened the Intimidator 305, named in honor of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt; as one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the eastern United States, it plunges thrill-seekers down a nearly vertical drop from a height of 305 feet; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion has grown to become an essential part of the Hanover County economy, providing thousands of jobs and opportunities over the years; the park accepted applications for over 13,000 positions; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion has proudly offered countless individuals in Hanover County and the surrounding region their first job; thanks in part to the values of professionalism, responsibility, and dedication learned while working at the park, many former employees have gone on to become successful leaders in their careers and communities; and WHEREAS, for four decades, Kings Dominion has offered generations of visitors a safe, convenient place to enjoy vibrant and unique family fun; the park inspires fond memories for countless individuals and is a source of pride of the Hanover County community; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion has experienced much of its success due to the enduring, enthusiastic support of local residents and the dedication of its employees, each of whom has worked to the utmost to provide a world-class experience for visitors; and WHEREAS, Kings Dominion begins its 40th anniversary celebration during the 2014 season, beginning on opening day on April 5; in honor of the celebration, the park will bring back an updated version of the iconic Singing Mushrooms to serenade guests and reopen the classic Candy Apple Grove; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Kings Dominion for its many contributions to the Hanover County community and Central Virginia on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Pat Jones, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the park's storied history and best wishes on continued success. |
