CHAP. 56.—An ACT to appropriate the sum of $5,000 to the State execu-
tive committee of the American Legion, Virginia branch, to pay ex-
penses of organization, establishment of posts, and to assist in the
payment of the expenses of a convention to be held on October 10
1919. [H B 87]

Approved September 9, 1919.

Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia owes a debt of last-
ing gratitude to the gallant soldiers, sailors and marines of the
State who served in the army, navy and marine corps of the
United States during the world war; and,

Whereas, the Commonwealth has so far done nothing, by leg-
islative action, substantially to express its appreciation of the
invaluable services rendered by its citizens who saw active ser-
vice in the said war; and,

Whereas, there has been established in Virginia a branch of
the American legion, composed of citizens who served in the
army, navy and marine corps of the United States in the said
war, the principles and purposes of which organization tend to
the promotion of patriotism and good citizenship; and,

Whereas, the said American legion, Virginia branch, is in
need of money to aid and assist it in paying expenses of organi~
zation, the establishment of posts, and to hold a convention in
the city of Roanoke on the tenth day of October, nineteen hun-
dred and nineteen; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the sum of five thousand dollars be, and the-game is hereby, ap-
propriated, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated, to the State executive committee of the American
legion, Virginia branch, for the purposes hereinafter set out. The
sum hereby appropriated shall be expended by the said State
executive committee of the American legion, Virginia branch,
for purposes of organization, establishment of posts in various
parts of the State, and to assist in the payment of the expenses
of a convention to be held in the city of Roanoke on October
tenth, nineteen hundred and nineteen. The said sum shall be
paid on warrants of the auditor of public accounts issued on cer-
tificates signed by the secretary and treasurer of the said State
executive committee of the American legion, Virginia branch,
and countersigned by the chairman and vice-chairman of the
said committee.

In order that this act may accomplish the purposes intended,
it must go into effect at once; therefore an emergency is declared
to exist, and the same shall be in force from and after its pas-
sage.