Bill Text: VA SJR366 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Walter Tejada.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-26 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ366ER) [SJR366 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2015-SJR366-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Walter Tejada, a distinguished leader who has served the people of Arlington County as a 12-year member and the current vice chair of the Arlington County Board, retires in 2015; and WHEREAS, a native of El Salvador, Walter Tejada moved to the United States at the age of 13 and later graduated from George Mason University with a degree in government and communication; and WHEREAS, a resident of Arlington for over 20 years, Walter Tejada has been a community leader and has served on many citizen advisory groups including the Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission, the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Sports Commission, the Neighborhood Day Organizing Committee, and the Bicentennial Celebration Task Force; and WHEREAS, Walter Tejada was first elected to the Arlington County Board in 2003, and he has served as a member, vice chair, and chair; a respected leader in local government, he is active with the National Association of Counties; and WHEREAS, Walter Tejada has been instrumental in convening community stakeholders to address a wide range of issues, such as affordable housing, civic engagement and volunteerism, community and economic development, education and employment, parks and recreation, tenant outreach and empowerment efforts, youth development programming, health and fitness, and nonprofit assistance; and WHEREAS, seeing the need to work both inside and outside of government, Walter Tejada helped establish the Community Volunteer Network to encourage leadership among young adults and the Shirlington Employment and Education Center to provide opportunities for workers; and WHEREAS, Governor Mark Warner recognized Walter Tejada's abilities and appointed him to serve as the first chair of the Virginia Latino Advisory Commission in 2003, and in 2006 Governor Tim Kaine appointed him to the Urban Policy Task Force; and WHEREAS, working with many organizations, including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Latino Advisory Council, Walter Tejada has honored the history and contributions of Latinos throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, Walter Tejada has committed his life to providing a voice for the diverse communities in Arlington County; he strives daily to strengthen the county and help ensure the success and well-being of its residents; and WHEREAS, Walter Tejada has announced he will retire from the Arlington County Board when he completes his third term at the end of 2015; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Walter Tejada for his 13 years of service to the public as a member, vice chair, and chair of the Arlington County Board; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Walter Tejada as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his many contributions to Arlington County. |