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By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Ruritan Founders Day

WHEREAS, Ruritan was founded in Suffolk, Virginia on May 21, 1928 by Tom Downing and Jack Gwaltney; and,

WHEREAS, "Ruritan," a combination of the Latin words for open country — "ruri" and small town — "tan", was suggested by Daisy Nurney, a reporter for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, and the club's charter members unanimously adopted "Ruritan" as the organization's name; and,

WHEREAS, Ruritan, the largest national civic organization in America, was founded on and serves communities on the principles of “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service”; and,

WHEREAS, Ruritan represents multi-cultural communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia with 356 clubs comprised of 8,802 members; and,

WHEREAS, each local Ruritan Club surveys the specific needs of their respective communities and tailors community service to meet those needs; and,

WHEREAS, citizens of the Commonwealth recognize and salute the outstanding efforts made by Ruritan Clubs across Virginia, working together to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 21, 2022 as RURITAN FOUNDERS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.