WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Norfolk, which has an esteemed history of service to Norfolk and the surrounding area, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014; and WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Norfolk was the third Rotary Club in the Commonwealth and was founded in 1914; through the years, it has sponsored other Rotary clubs in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, and today, 40 area Rotary organizations trace their origins to the Norfolk club; and WHEREAS, the nearly 150 members of the Rotary Club of Norfolk represent a broad range of business, nonprofit, education, government, and military professions; the group is proud of its strong support of civic and charitable projects; and WHEREAS, members of the Rotary Club of Norfolk volunteer at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and help during Clean the Bay Day; the annual Norfolk Antique and Flea Market, which the Rotary Club sponsors, raises funds for many area charities; and WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Norfolk has created a charitable endowment fund, enabling the group to support many needs in southeastern Virginia; in 2013, more than $20,000 was raised through the club's endeavors, and the grants went to environmental and human service organizations; and WHEREAS, as a part of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Norfolk supports the organization's goal of improving lives of people around the world, especially encouraging global efforts to eradicate polio, and bringing clean water to places in the world where it is scarce; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Rotary Club of Norfolk, which has an esteemed history of service to Norfolk and the surrounding area, hereby be commended on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Susan Donn, president of the Rotary Club of Norfolk, as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect and admiration for its many years of commitment and service to the people of Norfolk and the surrounding area, the Commonwealth, and the global community. |