SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2012 SPECIAL SESSION I


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5003
Commending the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 27, 2012
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 27, 2012
 

WHEREAS, in 2012, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia will celebrate 50 years of providing literacy education to help individuals participate more fully in their lives, communities, and workplaces; and

WHEREAS, founded in 1962 by a small group of volunteers concerned about adult illiteracy in the community, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia initially served predominantly native-born Virginia residents; and

WHEREAS, as the demographics of Northern Virginia changed, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia expanded its literacy efforts to reach a growing number of foreign-born residents with limited English language proficiency; and

WHEREAS, today, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia helps over 1,500 adults and families each year through one-to-one tutoring, classroom instruction, computer-assisted learning, and life skills and workforce training; and

WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia serves adult students who cannot read, write, speak, and understand English beyond a fifth-grade level; foreign-born adult students hail from 89 countries and speak 56 different languages; and

WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia enjoys the faithful support of over 700 trained and certified volunteers each year who generously give of their time and talents to help individuals in the community gain greater self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has 13 volunteers—Elsa Angell, Rena Baker, Frances Chase, Lee Collins, Sarah Evans, John Graebener, Freddi Lipstein, Judith Miller, Anne Poad, Stuart Savage, Jessie Selander, Noel Sipple, and Ron Wise—who each have given more than 30 years of service; and

WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia will begin its 50th anniversary celebration on July 1, 2012, with a Golden Reunion to mark the achievements of the adult learners and the commitment of the volunteers; and

WHEREAS, on October 3, 2012, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia’s feature gala, “One for the Books,” will bring together supporters with special guests David Baldacci, Ric Edelman, and Jose Andres and master of ceremonies, Robert Egger; and

WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia will also host an adult literacy symposium, Literacy Means Business, in April 2013 with representatives from the corporate, education, and public sectors, who will discuss their roles in strengthening adult literacy and workforce skill development; and

WHEREAS, for the past 50 years, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has touched the lives of countless individuals and played a pivotal role in workforce development through its efforts to enhance literacy among area residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Patricia Donnelly, executive director of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and appreciation for the council’s vital contributions to the lives of residents in Northern Virginia.