Bill Text: VA HR40 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-28 - Bill text as passed House (HR40ER) [HR40 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HR40-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, which has helped thousands of Northern Virginia residents improve their comprehension of the English language so they can be active and involved members of the community, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2022; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1962, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has become a national leader in English language and literacy instruction over the years by evolving its mission and services to best meet the needs of its students; and
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia primarily assists low-income immigrants with limited English-language abilities as they develop literacy and acquire life skills that will facilitate their efforts to gain employment, access information, manage their health, and support their children's learning; and
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia's mission has become more imperative during the COVID-19 pandemic as the confluence of ways in which the health crisis has impacted people's lives is felt more acutely by those who have difficulty understanding and communicating in English; and
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia typically instructs 1,500 students annually at class sites throughout the region and yet was able to quickly adjust its operations to continue serving up to three quarters of its students through virtual instruction only weeks into the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, due to its success, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has been heralded as a leader in distance learning both locally and nationally, with staff presenting at educational conferences and webinars for the benefit of its counterpart organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has collaborated with COVID-19 task forces in Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria to ensure that all residents have access to information about the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia developed and piloted a computer literacy component, including a laptop loaner program, to foster students' digital literacy skills and to promote equitable access to virtual opportunities in the community; and
WHEREAS, in response to the major influx of refugees from Afghanistan in recent months and requests from Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Fairfax County, Ethiopian Community Development Council, Global Shout, Lutheran Social Services, and other resettlement organizations, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has added English language courses to its calendar to ease the transition of countless new residents; and
WHEREAS, the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia's achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognized by Leadership Fairfax, which presented the organization with its 2021 Nonprofit Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia are the result of the exemplary efforts and expertise of its staff members and the extraordinary compassion and generosity demonstrated by its volunteer service providers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia hereby be commended on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its mission and contributions to the Commonwealth.
