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2004 SESSION

047846312
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 46
Offered January 14, 2004
Prefiled January 8, 2004
Commending Jessica Story.
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Patron—Hall, Baskerville, Jones, D.C., Miles, O’Bannon, and Sherwood
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WHEREAS, the canine members of many state and local police departments are regularly placed in harm's way and often run the same risks as police officers; and

WHEREAS, with few exceptions, members of K-9 units enter dangerous situations and confront violent criminals without the protection routinely afforded their human counterparts; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Story, a student at Orchard View Elementary School in Frederick County and a resident of Stephens City, set out to rectify the situation; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Story, who is nine years old, has raised more than $3,000 in the past year to purchase bulletproof and stab-resistant vests for five police dogs in Frederick County, South Hill, and the Virginia State Police; and

WHEREAS, through a variety of fund-raising techniques, Jessica Story plans to raise enough money to buy 12 more vests for the state police and six more for the Washington police; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Story, who began her program independently, has recently become the Virginia version of "Pennies to Protect Police Dogs," an organization started in 2000 by a 12-year-old Florida girl that has raised more than $200,000 in 16 states; and

WHEREAS, the initiative and perseverance of Jessica Story are remarkable in one so young, and numerous law-enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth are grateful for her dedication and energy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Jessica Story for her generous and selfless contributions to the welfare of Virginia's police dogs; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jessica Story as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude.