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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I

14200047D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5024
Offered April 2, 2014
Commending Pharrell Williams.
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Patrons-- Villanueva, Davis, DeSteph, Hester, Howell, A.T., James, Joannou, Jones, Knight, Leftwich, Robinson, Spruill, Stolle, Taylor, Ward and Yancey; Senators: Cosgrove, McWaters and Wagner
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WHEREAS, Pharrell Williams, a singer-songwriter, record producer, designer, artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Virginia Beach, has reshaped the cultural landscape of the United States and the world through his creativity and passion; and

WHEREAS, a musical prodigy from a young age, Pharrell Williams graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach; skilled with multiple instruments, he cultivated a wide range of skills that would later inspire his unique sound; and

WHEREAS, beginning his musical career as a member of a production team, The Neptunes, in 1992, Pharrell Williams created classic songs with Daft Punk, Nelly, Robin Thicke, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake; the group was named Billboard’s Producer of the Decade in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Pharrell Williams continued his career as both a solo artist and a member of the band N.E.R.D., which has been praised for its innovative use of rock, funk, and hip-hop elements; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Pharrell Williams has written or produced 35 top-40 singles on the Billboard Top 100 Chart, 18 of which rose to the top 10 and six of which went to number one; and

WHEREAS, as an artist, Pharrell Williams has had eight top-40 singles, seven of which went to the top 10 and five of which went to number one; his two solo albums debuted at number three and number two on the Billboard 200 Chart, and a compilation album with the Neptunes debuted at number one in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Pharrell Williams has won several Grammy Awards, including one in 2003 in the Best Pop Vocal category, one in 2006 in the Best Rap Song category, and four in 2014 in the Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance categories; also in 2014, he was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for his hit song “Happy”; and

WHEREAS, a prolific designer and an intrepid businessman, Pharrell Williams has helped design accessories, jewelry, and luxury goods, and his latest venture, i am OTHER, serves as an umbrella for his many endeavors, including Billionaire Boys Club and ICECREAM apparel and Bionic Yarn; and

WHEREAS, Pharrell Williams also founded From One Hand To Another, an organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring underserved youths, which partners with cities, businesses, public schools, and universities to offer hands-on activities designed to enhance curiosity in technology, the arts, and media and provide youths with the tools to achieve success; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Pharrell Williams for his many cultural contributions to the Commonwealth, the United States, and the world; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Pharrell Williams as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his many achievements and best wishes on future endeavors.