HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 222 Offered January 20, 2006 Commending the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Inc. ----------
Patrons-- Hall, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Cosgrove, Cox, Dance, Ebbin, Gear, Hargrove, Hogan, Ingram, Janis, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Lingamfelter, Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Nixon, O'Bannon, Orrock, Plum, Rapp, Reid, Scott, E.T., Suit, Tata, Waddell, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright; Senators: Blevins, Edwards, Houck, Lambert, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Puckett, Ruff, Stosch, Ticer, Watkins and Whipple
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WHEREAS, the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Inc., is recognized for 100 years of outstanding service to the retail industry and the citizens of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, founded in 1906 by a group of 12 merchants, the objectives of the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Inc., include reforming trade abuses, disseminating useful information, influencing legislation in the interest of retail merchants, securing reasonable transportation charges, furnishing information that would aid in determining consumer credit, cultivating a feeling of fraternity among business people, and raising the standards of business methods; and

WHEREAS, one hundred years later in 2006, the organization trades as the Retail Merchants Association and serves the needs of the retail industry in four cities and 10 counties in Central Virginia; and

WHEREAS, during its 100-year history, the Retail Merchants Association has served the retail industry by establishing the Credit Bureau of Richmond and Commonwealth Credit Bureau, which serves the credit reporting needs of retailers in 69 counties and municipalities, by establishing educational programs and continuing business education for retailers, and by advocating for the needs of the retail industry with state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, the Retail Merchants Association was invaluable to the Richmond metropolitan community by becoming the first private sector investor in the Virginia Commonwealth University BioTech Center; investing more than $1,500,000 in the Greater Richmond Partnership; investing more than $2,500,000 in the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau; and providing leadership in the development of the Greater Richmond Convention Center and cosponsoring the Richmond Christmas Parade; and

WHEREAS, the Retail Merchants Association also has served law enforcement and public safety by establishing Crime Stoppers, The 100 Club, Project Exile, and the annual Valor Awards; providing forums for regional cooperation between jurisdictions; and developing the E-Mail Alert System for communication between law enforcement and retailers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Inc., on 100 years of outstanding service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for its dedication to the retail industry and the citizens of the Commonwealth.