WHEREAS, in 2019, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point celebrated 35 years of fellowship and service to its local community; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point, a chapter of the Rotary International service organization, was chartered in 1984 with 20 members; today, it boasts more than 80 members dedicated to enriching the lives of residents of Newport News and the Greater Virginia Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point's largest fundraising event is the Oyster Bash, an annual, all-volunteer event that has raised more than $250,000 for local charities and projects, including its primary beneficiary, Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point coordinates numerous annual events, including Bikes for Tykes, a volunteer project to provide local children bicycles as Christmas presents, a Crystal House Golf Tournament, and fundraisers to support efforts for the global eradication of polio; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point was instrumental in the creation of a community rotaract club, which provides young professionals on the Virginia Peninsula with an opportunity for camaraderie and an avenue for service to the Hampton Roads area; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point has had among its members National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists, chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies, elected officials, educators, faith leaders, medical doctors, accountants, attorneys, architects, and other distinguished professionals; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point has been recognized by Rotary International through its Endowment Fund and the awarding of the Paul Harris Fellow to more than 250 current and past members, and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point has a longstanding tradition of successfully partnering with local nonprofit organizations for sustainable grant projects that improve the quality and access to childhood education on the Virginia Peninsula and further develop a community that provides ongoing support to its most vulnerable members; and

WHEREAS, in its dedication to the betterment of the Greater Virginia Peninsula, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point bestows the Community Citizenship Award upon an individual or entity who has made a lasting and positive impact on the local community, which aligns with one of Rotary International's Six Areas of Focus; and

WHEREAS, the Rotary Club of Oyster Point celebrated its 35th anniversary in January 2019 at the James River Country Club; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Rotary Club of Oyster Point hereby be commended on the occasion of its 35th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Rotary Club of Oyster Point as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for its longstanding service to the residents of Newport News and the Greater Virginia Peninsula.