HJ326: Commending the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chapter of the National Society of the DAR.

WHEREAS, the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, organized in Onancock, Virginia, on March 6, 1907, celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1907 by 22 dedicated charter members and Mrs. L. D. Teackle Quinhy as organizing regent; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Quinhy’s house at Kerr Place is now the historic home of the Eastern Shore Historical Society and the site of many Eastern Shore DAR meetings, including the chapter’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1982 and its 90th birthday gala in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Eastern Shore DAR has always been supportive of the state organization, the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, and first hosted the state conference in Onancock on October 8-9, 1912, raising funds for the event through musical entertainments, card parties, a spelling bee, and other activities and projects; and

WHEREAS, one of Eastern Shore DAR’s major goals is to continue its strong partnership with Accomack County and area schools to preserve the memory and appreciation of all of the brave people who fought and worked to make America a great country; and

WHEREAS, Eastern Shore DAR has financed, in whole or in part, the restoration of numerous volumes of the historic Acconiack County (present day Accomack County) court records; and since 1973, the chapter has contributed 44 genealogical volumes to the Eastern Shore Room at the public library in memory of deceased DAR members; and

WHEREAS, in 1922 Eastern Shore DAR sponsored its first essay contest and awarded a gold medal to a high school student for a winning history paper, which set the historic precedent for the chapter’s annual History Essay Award, which today is awarded to the best entry by a talented middle-schooler; and

WHEREAS, since 1973, the Eastern Shore DAR’s Good Citizen Award is awarded each year to an outstanding high school senior; all of the participants in the competition receive a certificate, a pin, and a copy of A Century of Service; and the area winner receives a $50 savings bond and qualifies for the state competition; and

WHEREAS, Eastern Shore DAR established a scholarship fund in 1985, currently in the amount of $600, that is awarded annually to a graduating senior who plans to study history or political science in college; and

WHEREAS, Eastern Shore DAR and its dedicated members are an integral part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia community, presenting numerous flags to schools and other organizations, honoring the nation’s fallen heroes at memorial celebrations, and participating in civic events on national and local holidays; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Eastern Shore DAR as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude to the chapter’s mission to preserve the history of the Commonwealth and its citizens.