[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8252-8253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 129--COMMENDING THE VIRGINIA RETAIL MERCHANTS 
          ASSOCIATION ON 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

  Mr. ALLEN submitted the following resolution; which was submitted and 
read:

                              S. Res. 129

       Whereas 2005 will mark the 100th anniversary of the 
     Virginia Retail Merchants Association (referred to in this 
     resolution as the ``Association'');
       Whereas on May 12 1905, the Association was formed to 
     encourage, stimulate, extend, and promote the business of 
     retail merchants in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to 
     promote the social, moral, and financial welfare of those 
     engaged in the business of retail merchandising;
       Whereas the Association has endeavored to curtail trade 
     abuses in the retail industry and other injurious practices 
     and to secure the cooperation of consumers, retail merchants, 
     and retail suppliers in producing healthy retail trade;
       Whereas the Association has worked to secure the enactment 
     of reasonable and proper laws to protect consumers and the 
     retail and services trade;
       Whereas it is the goal of the Association to encourage 
     proper and business-like methods in the conduct of business 
     affairs and to advance, by legitimate and fair means, the 
     interests of retail merchants and the free enterprise system;
       Whereas, in 1905, the Association chartered the Lynchburg 
     Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in 1906, the Association chartered the Retail 
     Merchants Association of Greater Richmond;
       Whereas, in 1907, the Association chartered the Petersburg 
     Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in 1913, the Association chartered the Hampton 
     Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in 1919, the Association chartered the Danville 
     Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in the 1950s, the Association chartered the 
     Franklin County Retail Merchants Association and the 
     Williamsburg Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in subsequent years, the Association chartered the 
     South Boston Retail Merchants Association and Charlottesville 
     Retail Merchants Association;
       Whereas, in 1978, the Association formed the Virginia 
     Retail Political Action Committee or VARPAC;
       Whereas the Association and its retail member associations 
     represent more than 5,400 retailers and other associated 
     businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
       Whereas the Association has been an active proponent of the 
     free enterprise system for 100 years: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page 8253]]

       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Virginia Retail Merchants Association 
     on its 100th anniversary; and
       (2) recognizes its years of service to the retail 
     community.

                          ____________________