SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 515 Offered February 15, 2007 Commending the County of Loudoun on the occasion of its 250th anniversary. ----------
Patrons-- Herring and Potts; Delegates: Caputo, Marshall, R.G., May, Poisson and Rust
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WHEREAS, 2007 marks the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the County of Loudoun, an historic and memorable event that will be commemorated throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Loudoun County constitutes a part of the five-million acre Northern Neck of Virginia Proprietary that was granted by King Charles II of England to seven noblemen in 1649; and

WHEREAS, in 1757, by an Act of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the land in Fairfax County was divided and the western portion was named Loudoun for John Campbell, Fourth Earl of Loudoun, a Scottish nobleman who served as commander-in-chief for all British armed forces in North America and the titular Governor of Virginia from 1756 to 1759; and

WHEREAS, during the early 18th century, Loudoun’s permanent settlers came from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland and during the same period, settlers from eastern Virginia of English Cavalier descendents came to lower Loudoun and established large tobacco plantations; and

WHEREAS, in 1774, a meeting of freeholders and other residents was held in the county courthouse to discuss the protection of rights and liberties in North America, and the group adopted the Loudoun Resolves, as well as a formal protest to the Stamp Act; and

WHEREAS, military history is memorialized in areas throughout Loudoun County, including significant events that occurred during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War; and

WHEREAS, during the War of 1812, Loudoun County served briefly as a temporary refuge for the President, and when British soldiers burned Washington, the Constitution and other important state papers were brought to Rokeby, near Leesburg, for safekeeping; and

WHEREAS, with a population of about 20,000 people, agriculture was the dominant way of life in Loudoun County for more than two centuries, and the area was known for its orchard grass and corn production; and

WHEREAS, Loudoun County was the capital of the dairy industry in America and home to the world famous Holstein bull, Elevation, that sired some 60,000 heifers and 10,000 bulls; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Elevation's offspring became prizewinners, and of the world’s 50 million Holstein dairy cattle, about five million are descended from Loudoun County stock; and

WHEREAS, among the famous and influential individuals who have lived in or visited Loudoun County, are General George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, John Jay, William Wirt, Robert E. Lee, James Monroe, Charles Houston, Thurgood Marshall, George Marshall, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, Russell Baker, and Arthur Godfrey; and

WHEREAS, today, Loudoun County and its beautiful towns and villages are admired for their historic preservation, architecture, and hospitality; and

WHEREAS, Loudoun County, as home to Dulles Airport and with proximity to the nation's capital, has attracted international recognition as a high technology center; and

WHEREAS, Loudoun County has evolved into one of the fastest growing areas in the United States and is well-known for its natural beauty and exceptional quality of life for families, and many opportunities for growth and prosperity; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the County of Loudoun on the occasion of its 250th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Leesburg and Loudoun Anniversary Committee as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for a glorious anniversary year of celebration.