HJ223: Commending Yorktown Day on the occasion of the 225th anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 223 Offered January 20, 2006 Commending York County for its observance of Yorktown Day, celebrating the occasion of the 225th anniversary of the victory of the Americans over the British at Yorktown. ---------- Patrons—Rapp, Gear and Hull; Senators: Norment and Williams ----------

WHEREAS, the 2006 observance of Yorktown Day celebrates the 225th anniversary of the victory at Yorktown and the surrender of the British and reminds us of the debt the nation owes to its military and the important role Yorktown and the Commonwealth of Virginia play in the nation’s legacy of freedom; and

WHEREAS, in 1983 the General Assembly designated the 19th day of October of each year to be recognized and celebrated as Yorktown Day throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia, as the largest and most populous of the original 13 colonies and the home of General George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Thomas Nelson, Jr., and other leaders of the American Revolution, is blessed with a rich history of noteworthy contributions to our nation’s struggle to secure liberty and democracy; and

WHEREAS, in Yorktown, on October 19, 1781, General Washington with his French allies received the surrender of Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis and nearly 7,100 British soldiers and sailors, ending nine days of siege operations against the British army; and

WHEREAS, the victory at Yorktown concluded the last major battle of the American Revolution, effectively ending the war and securing for the colonies their independence by providing a military conclusion to the political declaration issued five years earlier; and

WHEREAS, on October 19, 2006, York County will celebrate the 225th anniversary of the victory at Yorktown and the surrender of the British; this celebration will feature special festivities, reenactments, and commemorative events to encourage Virginians to learn more about the history of the dramatic Siege of Yorktown, the ultimate victory, and America's courageous fight for independence; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate York County on the occasion of its 225th anniversary of the victory at Yorktown; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the York County Board of Supervisors and each organization participating in this commemorative event as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a festive and successful 225th anniversary celebration.