HJ38: Commending Al-Anon on the occasion of its 55th anniversary.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38
Offered January 11, 2006
Prefiled January 5, 2006
Commending Al-Anon on the occasion of its 55th anniversary.
Patron-- Purkey

WHEREAS, the Al-Anon Family Groups, which provides help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics, will celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2006; and

WHEREAS, in 1951 Al-Anon in Richmond and Roanoke were two of the original 87 groups that agreed that an Al-Anon clearinghouse should be formally organized in Bedford Hills, New York; and

WHEREAS, today there are more than 24,000 Al-Anon groups for adults and Alateen groups for younger family members in 115 countries and Al-Anon educational literature is translated into 32 languages; and

WHEREAS, from its two early groups, Al-Anon in Virginia has expanded to 243 groups and 23 Alateen groups holding meetings in communities throughout the Commonwealth to help citizens reclaim their lives after they have been adversely "affected by someone's drinking"; and

WHEREAS, the international Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., was established in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1996; and 

WHEREAS, the Al-Anon program is adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, is inclusive of people from all cultures and backgrounds, and has no membership dues or fees; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Al-Anon on the occasion of its 55th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Al-Anon as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for its assistance in helping individuals and family members to recover from the impact of the disease of alcoholism and live a healthy, happy, and purposeful life.