SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2009 SESSION

099126776
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 975
Offered February 19, 2009
Commending the Bradley Free Clinic on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.
----------
Patrons-- Ware, O., Fralin and Griffith; Senators: Edwards and Smith
----------

WHEREAS, in 2009 the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke will celebrate its 35th anniversary of providing free medical care to the Roanoke Valley; and

WHEREAS, the Bradley Free Clinic opened its doors as the Free Clinic of the Roanoke Valley at a house donated by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on October 15, 1974; and

WHEREAS, the clinic’s valuable mission is to provide free medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care to the Roanoke Valley’s working uninsured using a volunteer, professional health care staff; and

WHEREAS, Estelle Nichols Avner has ably served as the executive director of the clinic since its founding; her leadership and vision have enabled the clinic to continue to grow and serve the residents of the Roanoke Valley; and

WHEREAS, in 1989 a local Roanoke philanthropist, Marion Bradley Via, donated $1 million, which enabled the clinic to purchase a building to house the growing clinic and endow its pharmacy; and

WHEREAS, First Lady Barbara Bush traveled to Roanoke to dedicate the new building and announced the renaming of the clinic to the Bradley Free Clinic; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, the Bradley Free Clinic has provided over $45 million worth of health care services to working uninsured residents of the Roanoke Valley and has cared for more than 200,000 patients; and

WHEREAS, the Bradley Free Clinic receives no federal funding but relies on private donations, grants, and its dedicated volunteers; and

WHEREAS, the clinic has developed over the years into a teaching facility with students from various medical, dental, and pharmacy schools from around the state gaining valuable health care experience; and

WHEREAS, the Bradley Free Clinic has received many honors for its work, including a letter of commendation from President Ronald Reagan and designation as a “Point of Light”; and

WHEREAS, the Bradley Free Clinic and its dedicated volunteers have provided an extraordinary amount of service to the Roanoke Valley, ensuring that those who work but cannot afford health insurance still receive quality health care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Bradley Free Clinic on the occasion of its 35th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Bradley Free Clinic as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for its commitment to those in need.