Bill Text: VA HR27 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Big H.O.M.I.E.S.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-21 - Bill text as passed House (HR27ER) [HR27 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HR27-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Big H.O.M.I.E.S., a nonprofit community outreach program dedicated to reducing gun violence in Portsmouth and Hampton Roads, has greatly served the community through various initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Big H.O.M.I.E.S., which stands for "Heroes of Minority in Every Society," was founded in 2019 in response to the alarming prevalence of gun violence in the Portsmouth and Hampton Roads communities; and
WHEREAS, Big H.O.M.I.E.S. administers programs, extracurricular and sports activities, a safe house, and other community services to break down barriers, build positive relationships, and steer young people away from a life of crime; and
WHEREAS, in August 2021, Big H.O.M.I.E.S. partnered with the City of Portsmouth for a back-to-school event at Portsmouth City Park that brought local organizations and businesses together to help young people start the school year off on the right foot; and
WHEREAS, Big H.O.M.I.E.S. has organized events at Norfolk State University football games to offer young people from different neighborhoods the opportunity to cultivate new perspectives and friendships; and
WHEREAS, Big H.O.M.I.E.S. recently launched its Portsmouth Safe Streets Initiative to provide mentoring, job training, mediation, group therapy, sports training, counseling, tutoring, mental health and substance abuse referrals, and other services for the benefit of many individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, by serving as a reliable source of motivation and support to area youth, Big H.O.M.I.E.S. has helped address the issue of gun violence in the community and enabled countless young people in Portsmouth and Hampton Roads to lead safer and more fulfilling lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Big H.O.M.I.E.S., a nonprofit community outreach program operating in Portsmouth and Hampton Roads, hereby be commended for its efforts to reduce gun violence; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Eugene Swinson, president of Big H.O.M.I.E.S., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's mission and its contributions to the Commonwealth.
