2009 -- S 0961

=======

LC02723

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2009

____________

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING BERTHA TANNER ON BEING NAMED "2009 GRANGER OF THE

YEAR" BY THE RICHMOND GRANGE

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: June 03, 2009

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

1-1

      WHEREAS, Bertha Tanner attended South Kingstown High School, where she met the

1-2

love of her life and future husband Buzz. Although she was not born in Rhode Island, she has

1-3

called it home since she was very young. Bertha worked as a Secretary at the West Kingston

1-4

Elementary School while, at the same time, helping to raise a family with her husband that

1-5

included four sons and numerous grandchildren; and

1-6

     WHEREAS, With her husband Buzz, Bertha joined the Richmond Grange in 1974, and

1-7

has been one the most active members. She has never been without an office, and has held the

1-8

offices of Ceres, Chaplin, and Lecturer. She has also been Chairman of several committees.

1-9

While serving as an officer of the Grange, she found time in her busy schedule to assist and later

1-10

chair the Rhode Island State Grange Deaf Awareness Department. Her dedication and expertise

1-11

led to her recruitment with the National Grange to serve as a member of their Deaf Awareness

1-12

committee where she served for several years; and

1-13

     WHEREAS, Since 1977, she has been Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Supper

1-14

Committee. Her greatest contribution to the Grange has been her dedication and commitment to

1-15

the Washington County Fair. As head of this committee, she oversaw the countless number of

1-16

public and private suppers that the Grange has held. While heading the Supper Committee she

1-17

was also tasked with running the Richmond Grange Sandwich Barn at the Washington County

1-18

Fair. As the leader of this committee, she made the tough decision to move away from cold

1-19

sandwiches and to have the booth sell shaved steak sandwiches. While this idea was not well

2-1

received at the time, without her foresight and vision, the Grange would not have the great

2-2

product and sales success they have today; and

2-3

     WHEREAS, In addition to her work for the Grange, Bertha is always willing to lend a

2-4

helping hand and always performs her duties with a smile on her face and a cheerful attitude.

2-5

Without her leadership, volunteerism and attention to details the Richmond Grange would not be

2-6

where it is today; now, therefore be it

2-7

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

2-8

hereby congratulates Bertha Tanner on being named "2009 Granger of the Year" by the

2-9

Richmond Grange. We wish her continued success in all future endeavors; and be it further

2-10

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

2-11

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Bertha Tanner.

=======

LC02723

=======