WHEREAS, for 62 years, the English Empowerment Center has provided adults with English language instruction, contributing greatly to their ability to access employment and educational opportunities and to thrive in their communities; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, the English Empowerment Center (EEC), formerly the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, has seen a 25 percent increase in its course registrations, and the organization now teaches more than 2,000 adult learners from more than 95 countries annually, four out of five of whom earn below a living wage; and

WHEREAS, at its 14 locations throughout Northern Virginia, EEC is supported by more than 500 trained volunteers, who provided more than 25,000 hours of service in 2023; and

WHEREAS, EEC continues to be 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, EEC instructor Cassandra Kramer received the Joan E.D. Kushnir Teacher of the Year Award from the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education for her outstanding work with English language learners; and

WHEREAS, EEC recently held its second annual Career and Opportunities Fair, where more than 200 individuals received valuable information for career, educational, and personal advancement; and

WHEREAS, EEC was joined in the event by Northern Virginia employers seeking new colleagues and community service providers eager to share their services for the benefit of others; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of its accomplishments, EEC was recently presented a $1 million grant from the Yield Giving fund, as well as an additional $45,000 from Arlington County, to support its mission to promote literacy in the community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the English Empowerment Center hereby be commended for its efforts to level the playing field for the Northern Virginia community's dynamic and multicultural workforce; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Roopal Saran, executive director of the English Empowerment Center, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the Commonwealth.