WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Leonidas B. Young II of Richmond, who as senior pastor and founder of New Kingdom Christian Ministries preached a message of redemption and restoration for all people, and who was a former mayor of Richmond, friend to all who knew him, and a loving husband and father, died on January 16, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Leonidas Young was born in Richmond and educated in the Richmond Public Schools; he earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University, a master's degree from Drew University, and an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Leonidas Young, who began his ministry when he was 17, followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather who also were ministers; he was ordained in 1975 at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond and then served at Bethel Baptist Church in Gloucester; and

WHEREAS, from 1979 to 1989, Leonidas Young was pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey; he also worked for the state of New Jersey from 1983 to 1989, and then returned to Richmond and was installed as pastor of Fourth Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Leonidas Young was a member of the Richmond City Council from 1992 to 1999, representing the Seventh District; additionally, he was mayor of the capital of the Commonwealth from 1994 to 1996, and was the third, and youngest, African American to serve in that capacity; and

WHEREAS, Leonidas Young faced many challenges in his life and resolutely overcame them; in 1999, he founded New Kingdom Christian Ministries in Richmond to serve the broken-hearted, heal the wounded, and serve the community through glory and grace; and

WHEREAS, the message that Leonidas Young preached was one of hope and restoration; he was a charismatic and inspiring orator who had preached at many universities and overseas, and who wanted above all for people to experience a life of purpose, healing, and renewal; and

WHEREAS, Leonidas Young will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Sanya; children, Leonidas III, Ariel, and Erika; parents, Leonidas Sr., and Cora; his New Kingdom Christian Ministries family; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Reverend Dr. Leonidas B. Young II of Richmond, senior pastor and founder of New Kingdom Christian Ministries, who preached a powerful and life-affirming message of hope and restoration; former mayor of Richmond; and a loving husband and father; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Dr. Leonidas B. Young II as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.