SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled December 13, 2005 Commending Melissa Chambers. ---------- Patrons-- Houck; Delegate: Scott, E.T. ----------

WHEREAS, Melissa Chambers of Locust Grove is one of three finalists in the Country Woman of the Year contest; and

WHEREAS, the award is sponsored by the national magazine, Country Woman, and honors outstanding recipients who are dedicated to family and neighbors and are passionately service-oriented in their rural communities--the winner will be announced in the January/February issue; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Chambers and her husband were both raised on cattle and dairy farms, and in 1997, the couple moved to Virginia, leased a small tract of land in Orange County, and began farming themselves; and

WHEREAS, today, Melissa Chambers and her husband own and manage a 412-acre farm and collectively grow corn, wheat, grain, and soybeans for commercial production on 2,500 acres in Orange, Culpeper, and Spotsylvania Counties; and

WHEREAS, a great youth mentor and advocate, Melissa Chambers shares her experiences with young people, believing that the joy of rural life aids in the healthy development of mind and spirit; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Chambers is a gifted 4-H Stockman's Club leader, in which her two boys, Bobby, 14, and Garrett, 11, enthusiastically participate; and

WHEREAS, among the many accolades she has garnered, Melissa Chambers is the winner of the Garvis Huff Youth Advocate Award by the Orange County Office on Youth and the Farm Family Award by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Chambers is an extremely talented woman, an expert in numerous farm operations, especially farm safety procedures, and is an excellent country cook; she is active in her church, a generous community benefactor, and an ardent member of the fire company ladies auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, Melissa Chambers is a deserving finalist for Country Woman of the Year; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly join with the citizens of Locust Grove in saluting Melissa Chambers on her many accomplishments; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Melissa Chambers as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and best wishes.