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2023 SESSION

23106116D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 660
Offered February 10, 2023
Commending the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.
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Patrons-- Hudson (By Request); Senator: Deeds
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WHEREAS, 2022 marked the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia, a school dedicated to serving the greater good by developing outstanding future leaders and creating new knowledge to solve our greatest policy challenges; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Frank Batten, Sr., chairman and chief executive officer of Landmark Communications, Inc., founder of The Weather Channel, and a forward-thinking philanthropist, dedicated $100 million for the creation of the Batten School at the University of Virginia (UVA) to meet the urgent need for a new generation of enlightened and ethical leaders who could affect transformational change; and

WHEREAS, the Batten School at UVA is committed to solving difficult policy challenges, guided by the recognition that the complex issues of our time demand innovative, collaborative, cross-sector leadership; and

WHEREAS, in response, the Batten School at UVA has developed an innovative approach to teaching, research, and public engagement on leadership and public policy in order to empower current and future leaders to drive positive change in our communities and the world at large; and

WHEREAS, the Batten School educates and trains students through a portfolio of globally recognized programs, including its bachelor of arts in public policy and leadership degree program, its master of public policy degree program, and its BattenX programs for lifelong learning and executive education; and

WHEREAS, the Batten School’s award-winning faculty, who represent the leading minds in evidence-based policy and leadership science, bridge theory, data, and practice to provide new insights and learning in a wide range of subject areas, including health, education, global development, energy and the environment, national security, race and justice, humanitarian policy, and more; and

WHEREAS, these scholar-practitioners at the Batten School bring their work to bear on the most pressing policy and leadership challenges, working with local, state, federal, and global policymakers; nonprofit leaders; scholars; advocates; philanthropists; thought-leaders; and the engaged public to enact change; and

WHEREAS, the Batten School believes that a preeminent, forward-looking leadership and public policy school will only flourish in an environment that includes individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and that is committed to being an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community; and

WHEREAS, the nearly 1,500 individuals who have completed a Batten School degree are serving as leaders of consequence in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including senior positions in city, state, and federal government; international agencies; educational institutions; and many leading private businesses in the Commonwealth and across the globe; and

WHEREAS, the Batten School, which began with 25 students, a handful of faculty members, and three administrators, is today a vibrant community that boasts nearly 400 students, more than 60 faculty members and affiliates, and about 40 staff, all of whom are united in spirit and common purpose by the Batten School’s mission to serve our communities, our nation, and our world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia on the occasion of its 15th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its many contributions to the Commonwealth and its unparalleled commitment to preparing future generations of public leaders.