A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the participants and supporters of the City of Newton's annual soldiers reunion on the one HUNDREDTH twenty‑fifth anniversary of the reunion.
Whereas, the City of Newton was incorporated by the General Assembly in 1855, and was named for Newton Wilson, the son of Nathaniel Wilson, a former member of the General Assembly who sponsored the bill to create Catawba County; and
Whereas, one of the City's oldest traditions includes the annual Soldiers Reunion, which began on July 4, 1889, when Civil War veterans gathered for recognition of their wartime efforts and to receive their pensions; and
Whereas, these veterans received a warm reception from Newton's Mayor L.L. Witherspoon and the City's citizens; and
Whereas, after that first gathering, veterans began holding annual reunions in Newton, resulting in the popular Soldiers Reunion, which is believed to be the longest continuous patriotic celebration in the country; and
Whereas, the Soldiers Reunion is a weeklong celebration held the third week of each August and attracts approximately 10,000 visitors to downtown Newton; and
Whereas, this year's Soldiers Reunion will be observed from August 17 to August 24 and will feature the Soldiers Reunion Parade and other family friendly activities and events for veterans and the entire community; and
Whereas, the Soldiers Reunion is sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 16 and the Newton Merchants Association, with additional events hosted by the City of Newton Parks and Recreation Department; and
Whereas, 2014 marks the 125th anniversary of the Soldiers Reunion, an occasion worthy of recognition and celebration; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of the veterans, who began the Soldiers Reunion, and the City of Newton's past leaders for showing their support for veterans.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives joins the City of Newton and the participants of the Soldiers Reunion in observing the Reunion's 125th anniversary.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the City of Newton, American Legion Post No. 16, and the Newton Merchants Association.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.