SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 478 Offered February 2, 2007 Commending the hosts, speakers, planners, coordinators, participants, volunteers, and citizens involved in the 2007 General Assembly Session commemorative opening day festivities held at historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement. ----------
Patrons-- Norment, Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Locke, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, Miller, Newman, 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 10, 2007, the General Assembly met at Historic Jamestowne for an opening day of commemorative festivities to mark and honor the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent English settlement in North America; and

WHEREAS, on a brisk, clear day, legislators assembled at the historic Memorial Church on Jamestowne Island for a commemorative ceremony in which special invited guest Vice President Dick Cheney recounted the courage and adventurous spirit of the early settlers and presented the President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates with the first set of the United States Mint's Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coins; and

WHEREAS, the ceremony’s eloquent program included the opening invocation by Stephen R. Adkins, Chief of the Chickahominy Tribe; welcoming remarks and introductions from legislative representatives of the historic area, the Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr., and the Honorable Melanie L. Rapp; and the benediction by the Reverend Jay Timothy Harrison, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, after the ceremony, members and guests walked across Jamestowne Island, following in the footsteps of the settlers, exploring the James Fort and archaeological excavations, and gathering at Archaerium Archaeological Museum to view the recent collection of artifacts; and

WHEREAS, after the tour of Jamestowne Island, legislators and guests proceeded to the Jamestown Settlement to tour the exhibition galleries that depict Jamestown’s beginnings in England and describe the cultures of the Powhatan Indians, Europeans, and Africans who lived in Virginia during the 1600s; and

WHEREAS, the opening day’s events concluded with the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address before the Joint Assembly of the General Assembly in the Jamestown Settlement Theater; and

WHEREAS, the Colonial National Park Service, APVA Preservation Virginia, and Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation served as the gracious hosts to the 2007 Session opening day festivities, extending their warmest hospitality and sharing their vast knowledge of the historical period and archaeological discoveries; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration program was the culmination of a year’s intense preparations on the part of a planning committee and participating staff, consisting of representatives of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, National Park Service, APVA Preservation Virginia, Senate Clerk’s Office, House Clerk’s Office, Virginia Capitol Police, Virginia State Police, United States Secret Service, Virginia National Guard, Jamestown 2007, and public television station WCVE, and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly’s commemorative festivities officially launch a year of celebration, remembrance, and tribute to the colonists whose determination and fortitude gave birth to our nation and its first government; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and thank the hosts, speakers, planners, coordinators, participants, volunteers, and citizens for their hard work and commitment in making the 2007 General Assembly Session opening day commemorative festivities a memorable success; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Vice President Dick Cheney and the other participating individuals and organizations as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation and recognition of their many contributions and invaluable service during the 2007 Session opening events.