Bill Text: VA HJR427 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Commending the Rockingham County Fair.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-03-10 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ427ER) [HJR427 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-HJR427-Introduced.html

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16105568D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 427 Offered March 3, 2016 Commending the Rockingham County Fair. ---------- Patrons-- Wilt, Bell, Robert B. and Landes; Senators: Hanger and Obenshain ----------

WHEREAS, in 2015, the Rockingham County Fair won first place in the Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors category from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for its livestock showings and other agricultural competitions; and

WHEREAS, this Award of Distinction recognizes the efforts of farmers, families, and individuals who submit entries to be judged at the Rockingham County Fair's contests; across the country, thousands of people pay tribute to the nation's proud agricultural heritage by taking part in local fair competitions; and

WHEREAS, the Rockingham County Fair's first-place award marks the 22nd time that the fair has won the Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors award; and

WHEREAS, the judges from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) examine livestock showings, poultry exhibits, and produce and farm crop contests to determine which fair best promotes agricultural education and service; and

WHEREAS, the popular Rockingham County Fair is held each August, and agricultural exhibits feature prominently during the fair's six-day run; local farmers, gardeners, and vegetable growers bring livestock, flowers, produce, and other crops to be judged and admired by fair-goers; and

WHEREAS, the Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors award from IAFE is part of the Rockingham County Fair's John Deere Excellence in Agriculture Program; the 2015 top prize is the fair's third first-place award in four years; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Ishee, general manager of the Rockingham County Fair, attributed the fair's consistently strong showing at the international competition to its long-held goals of supporting local farmers, educating the public about agriculture, and promoting family farming; and

WHEREAS, winning the 2015 Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors award also recognizes the hard work that the sponsors, staff, volunteers, and member organizations devote to the Rockingham County Fair each year; and

WHEREAS, the popularity of the Rockingham County Fair is reflected in its annual increases in attendance; in 2015, more than 92,200 people visited the fair; they wandered through the livestock exhibits, perused award-winning poultry, gardening, produce, and flower entries, enjoyed a concert or other special activity, and had fun on the midway—all in a family-friendly environment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Rockingham County Fair for winning first place in the Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors category from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for its livestock contests and other agricultural competitions; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jeff Ishee, general manager of the Rockingham County Fair Association, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and admiration for the Rockingham County Fair's outstanding accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of agriculture in the Commonwealth.