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2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 500
Commending the Reverend Joe B. Fleming.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 25, 2011
 

WHEREAS, the Reverend Joe B. Fleming will be honored for his extraordinary contributions to the Tidewater region with a prestigious 2011 Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities annually recognizes those individuals and organizations that have shown through their actions their commitment to promoting inclusive communities; and

WHEREAS, a native of Oklahoma, Reverend Fleming graduated from Bishop College before receiving a master of divinity degree from Virginia Union University, which conferred upon him the doctor of divinity degree; he later furthered his studies at Boston University; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Fleming was led to Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth after having faithfully served the congregations of Antioch Baptist Church in Mathews County and Quioccasin Baptist Church in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, a man of wisdom and compassion, Reverend Fleming has dedicated his life to uplifting others so that they can achieve their potential; and

WHEREAS, while serving as pastor of Quioccasin Baptist Church in Richmond, Reverend Fleming worked for the Youth Opportunity Center, recruiting youth for the Job Corps; served as director of planning for the Richmond Community Action Program; and gave valuable insight as a member of the board of directors of Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross; and

WHEREAS, since coming to Portsmouth in 1981, Reverend Fleming has continued to reach out to local residents, serving as a founding member of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Steering Committee, as a member of the board of directors for the Urban League of Hampton Roads, as chair of the electoral board for the City of Portsmouth, and as a commissioner for the Virginia Port Authority; and

WHEREAS, as chair of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA), Reverend Fleming played a pivotal role in the Authority’s selection for a $20 million HOPE VI grant to redevelop the Jeffry Wilson public housing community and oversaw the completion of the Ida Barbour HOPE VI redevelopment project; and

WHEREAS, during his eight years as chair of PRHA, Reverend Fleming was also involved with the redevelopment of Chase View to Hamilton Place and the Park View and Cradock redevelopment plans to provide affordable housing for residents of Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his administrative and leadership duties at PRHA, Reverend Fleming had the moving opportunity to walk seven people from homelessness to home ownership; and

WHEREAS, a humble man of great faith, the Reverend Fleming’s life has been marked by distinguished service to his church and community, making him a worthy candidate for the prestigious 2011 Humanitarian Award, which will be presented to him at a special program on March 31, 2011, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Reverend Joe B. Fleming for his selection as a 2011 Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award honoree; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Joe B. Fleming as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for his dedication and commitment to building communities where all are welcome.