WHEREAS, strong marriages are the foundation of healthy families and communities; and

WHEREAS, strong marriages contribute much to the health and well being of our community by improving children's success in school and in later life, saving in social services and other costs, and providing excellent models of caring and loving partnerships; and

WHEREAS, fifty or more years of marriage is a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration and recognition by the entire community; and

WHEREAS, the Family Life Resource Center is focusing in 2009 on promoting healthy and stable marriages, and is celebrating couples married 50 or more years on May 16, 2009;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Kai Degner, Mayor of the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia, do hereby proclaim May 16, 2009, a day to celebrate marriages lasting 50 or more years and urge all our citizens to honor and celebrate this special accomplishment.