Bill Text: VA HJR275 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Johnnie Nash.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ275ER) [HJR275 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR275-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 40 years, Johnnie Nash has provided life-changing support to people in need through the nonprofit organization HopeTree Family Services in Salem; and
WHEREAS, Johnnie Nash grew up in Roanoke, where he attended public schools and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1978; he continued his education at Radford University, from which he obtained a bachelor's degree in history and social sciences in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Johnnie Nash began his career at the Virginia Baptist Children's Home on September 8, 1983; since that time, he has witnessed many changes in the organization, including two name changes to Virginia Baptist Children's Home & Family Services in 1985 and to HopeTree Family Services in 2007; and
WHEREAS, HopeTree Family Services offers residential care to youths and adults with intellectual and development disabilities, foster care services, a private-day school, and community-based services like family-centered treatment and equine-assisted psychotherapy, and Johnnie Nash has held numerous leadership roles within the organization over the course of his career; and
WHEREAS, Johnnie Nash began as a senior residential counsel, then was promoted to assistant director of childcare in 1985, director of childcare in 1988, and director of residential services in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Johnnie Nash became the vice president of children's ministries in 1996 and was later appointed as the vice president of programs; in March 2020, he was appointed vice president and chief operations officer; and
WHEREAS, Johnnie Nash has worked alongside and mentored thousands of HopeTree Family Services employees, making tremendous contributions to the career development of others; he touched the lives of thousands of children, adults, and families who have lived at HopeTree Family Services or benefited from one of its many programs; and
WHEREAS, to commemorate Johnnie Nash's career and impact at HopeTree Family Services, the organization's largest conference room was named the Johnnie Nash Training Center on November 13, 2020; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Johnnie Nash for his 40 years of service to the employees, residents, and clients of HopeTree Family Services; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Johnnie Nash as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of achievements on behalf of people in need.
