HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 528 Offered March 6, 2006 Commending the host, planners, coordinators, participants, volunteers, and citizens involved in the 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies held at the Reconstructed Capitol in Williamsburg. ----------
Patrons-- Rapp,  Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Dudley, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O’Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Parrish, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Reid, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts, Welch, Wittman and Wright; Senators: Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, O'Brien, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, on January 14, 2006, the 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies for Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Lieutenant Governor William T. Bolling, and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell were held at the Reconstructed Capitol in Williamsburg; and

WHEREAS, the Reconstructed Capitol was selected as the site for the 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies because the Capitol in Richmond was undergoing extensive renovation and the legislature’s early ties to Colonial Williamsburg are an important chapter in the General Assembly of Virginia’s  history; and

WHEREAS, the legislature first met at Williamsburg on April 21, 1704, when the Capitol on Duke of Gloucester Street was still under construction, and the building was last used as a capitol on December 24, 1779, when the General Assembly adjourned to reconvene May 1, 1780, at the new Capitol in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation served as the gracious host to the 2006 inaugural festivities, and the City of Williamsburg and local area businesses extended their warmest hospitality to the participants and spectators attending the memorable occasion; and

WHEREAS, the historic occasion in Williamsburg was the culmination of several months of intense preparations on the part of a planning committee, consisting of representatives of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the City of Williamsburg, the Governor’s Office, the House Clerk’s Office, the Senate Clerk’s Office, the Department of General Services, the Virginia Capitol Police, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia National Guard, the National Park Service, The College of William and Mary, WCVE,  the Williamsburg Police Department, and the James City County Police Department; and

WHEREAS, numerous state and local agencies and not-for-profit organizations provided the seamless coordination of the weekend’s events, which included a Friday night concert at The College of William and Mary, an early prayer ceremony at Bruton Parish Church, the swearing-in ceremonies on the grounds of the Reconstructed Capitol, the parade along Duke of Gloucester Street to the Palace Green, the inaugural ball at The College of William and Mary, and a host of celebratory receptions in the community; and 

WHEREAS, a unified force of military, law-enforcement, fire, and medical emergency personnel provided the highest level of security and protection to persons attending the inaugural ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, in spite of the inclement weather, including the occasional moderate downpours, participants in the inaugural ceremonies performed their duties with dignity and good humor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the host, planners, coordinators, participants, volunteers, and citizens for their hard work and commitment in making the 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies a success; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; the City of Williamsburg; The College of William and Mary; and other participating organizations as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation and recognition of their many contributions and invaluable service during the 2006 Inaugural Ceremonies.