Bill Text: VA SJR359 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 359 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending Boys' Home, Inc.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-03-05 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ359ER) [SJR359 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2013-SJR359-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 359 Commending Boys' Home, Inc. Agreed to by the Senate, January 24, 2013 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 1, 2013

WHEREAS, for over 100 years, Covington-based Boys' Home, Inc., has helped boys from the Commonwealth and around the country grow into productive members of society; and

WHEREAS, in 1906, The Reverend George Floyd Rogers received a "call from the mountains" when he was asked by a member of the community to create a Sunday School for local children; and

WHEREAS, originally known as Grace Mission, Boys' Home, Inc., (Boys' Home) was established to provide a positive environment, where boys could learn the value of education, hard work, honesty, kindness, and faith; and

WHEREAS, in addition to providing spiritual guidance and character development, Boys' Home focuses on boys without suitable homes or who would benefit from a new environment, offering food, shelter, and clothing; and

WHEREAS, vocational programs have always been central at Boys' Home, with boys learning valuable skills that instill the value of hard work and could later translate into careers; and

WHEREAS, in the early days of the organization, Boys' Home operated a successful farm, dairy, cannery, print shop, and automotive garage; and

WHEREAS, while evolving much over the years, Boys' Home still offers a wide variety of vocational, recreational, and athletic programs to record numbers of attendees; and

WHEREAS, throughout its 70-acre campus, Boys' Home maintains a chapel, a gymnasium, tennis courts, a swimming pool, several student housing cottages, and the Boys' Home Christmas Tree Farm, all surrounded by the beautiful Alleghany Highlands; and

WHEREAS, each child who enters Boys' Home is also enrolled in the Boys' Home School; after an evaluation, students either enter public school or remain at the Boys' Home School for additional academic assistance; and

WHEREAS, since the Boys' Home School opened in 2001, its elementary and middle school students have achieved annual gains of over three grade levels in math and at least two grade levels in reading; and

WHEREAS, led by Donnie E. Wheatley, executive director of Boys' Home, the dedicated, accredited, and highly motivated staff of Boys' Home work tirelessly to help each individual develop and thrive; and

WHEREAS, the success of Boys' Home is due in part to the support of many generous donors over the years; today, the organization operates almost entirely through private funding; and

WHEREAS, Boys' Home builds a bright future for the Commonwealth by helping boys to become upstanding young men who are intent on creating their own legacies of service and good will; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Boys' Home, Inc., for the organization's unyielding work to ensure that boys receive the care and guidance necessary to become successful members of society; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Boys' Home, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's long traditions of service and excellence.