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2014 SESSION

14105344D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 485
Offered March 5, 2014
Commending The Noblemen.
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Patrons-- DeSteph, Davis, Knight, Stolle, Taylor and Villanueva; Senators: McWaters and Wagner
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Unanimous consent to introduce
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WHEREAS, The Noblemen, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Virginia Beach, which includes members located throughout the Hampton Roads Region, was created by Al Midgett in 1955, who was inspired by the philanthropic response to the birth of his son born 17 weeks premature and given a two percent chance of survival, in 1993; the father was considered a “new hire” after the acquisition of his former company, leaving the family without health insurance benefits to cover the costs of the infant’s medical care; and

WHEREAS, compassionate citizens and family and friends in the Hampton Roads community learned of the family’s plight and began a fundraiser to aid them, which fueled their passion to help others; and

WHEREAS, these compassionate citizens, originally called “The Robin Hoods,” and subsequently becoming known as “The Noblemen,” continued their philanthropy and soon offered to show other people how to participate in philanthropic and charitable activities; and

WHEREAS, The Noblemen seeks to identify and perform noble deeds for children in the Hampton Roads area who need help; and

WHEREAS, The Noblemen has helped “Surfers Healing,” a group of California surfers who sponsored a camp for autistic children in Virginia Beach; purchased strollers designed for disabled persons for “Team Hoyt,” to permit disabled children to travel across country to participate in races for the disabled; established the “Beach Bag” program, which gives book bags filled with meals for the weekend to school children who qualify for free and reduced lunch; and started other programs such as “Kel’s Kids,” “Really Awesome People Swimming,” “Nobleteens,” “Dictionary Program,” in which thousands of dictionaries are given to every third grader in all Title I schools in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, “Noble Pet of the Month,” in which service pets are returned or purchased for persons who need them, and “The Noblemen Christmas Toy Drive”; and worked with the military to allow special needs children to attend the airshow; and

WHEREAS, The Noblemen’s effort to support one family in need has spread across the Hampton Roads area and touched many lives in other communities; and

WHEREAS, The Noblemen has demonstrated the true meaning of the Good Samaritan, and the organization should be commended for its noteworthy mission and many extraordinary programs and activities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Noblemen for its outstanding work in the Hampton Roads community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Al Midgett, chief operating officer of The Noblemen, as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude and appreciation for the organization’s good works and service to the people of Hampton Roads.