Bill Text: VA SJR410 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2025-02-20 - Agreed to by House by voice vote [SJR410 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-SJR410-Introduced.html
2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25107520D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 410
Offered February 17, 2025
Commending the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
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Patron—Surovell
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WHEREAS, for 100 years, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has worked diligently to support local businesses, promote economic growth, and enrich community life in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, established in 1925, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) originally focused on advocating for businesses in Fairfax County, but has grown to become the largest and most influential business organization in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, in its early years, NVC played a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation in Virginia by endorsing the Byrd Road Act; this historic referendum, which narrowly passed by a 600-vote margin in 1932, shifted control of the Commonwealth's highways to the government, forever transforming roadbuilding policy; and
WHEREAS, NVC next pursued funding from the State Highway Administration to support the construction of secondary roads in Fairfax County in the spring of 1935; the organization also played a significant role in the site selection and development of Dulles International Airport in the 1950s and 1960s; and
WHEREAS, NVC supported the creation of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in the late 1960s and subsequently endorsed a new sales tax on retail gasoline to help fund the construction of the Washington Metro; and
WHEREAS, in the 1960s, NVC was also active in education and supported bond referenda that led to the construction of 15 new schools and the renovation of 34 others, addressing the needs of 121,000 students; the organization participated in a statewide initiative to enhance the infrastructure of the Commonwealth's institutions of higher education and advocated for the establishment of what is now George Mason University as an independent institution; and
WHEREAS, after recognizing the threat of an inadequate water supply to business growth, NVC led a strategic coalition that secured water from the Potomac River to bolster the Occoquan Reservoir, ensuring sustainable development and economic expansion for the region; and
WHEREAS, in the 1980s, NVC co-founded the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance to advance solutions for transportation infrastructure and launched what is now the Northern Virginia Technology Council, a dynamic force dedicated to addressing the unique needs of technology and defense businesses; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, NVC established Leadership Fairfax, a 10-month civic training program meant to familiarize emerging business and community leaders with local issues and incentives; and
WHEREAS, over the years, NVC has maintained its focus on transportation, supporting plans in the 1990s to revitalize transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth, including a 12-lane replacement of Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, NVC became a founding partner of the MetroNow coalition, which secured historic regional funding for WMATA to address critical system repairs and upgrades; and
WHEREAS, more recently, NVC was the leading advocate for state workforce programs, resulting in the creation of Virginia Career Works, which consolidated 24 existing workforce programs to better serve students, job seekers, and employers; and
WHEREAS, NVC currently represents over 46 percent of economic activity in the Greater Washington Region and 500,000 employees across the region; its focused advocacy, opportunities for networking, educational programs, and promotional efforts have strengthened the business community and enhanced the quality of life throughout Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 100th anniversary of service to the local business community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's legacy of contributions to the economic vitality of the region.
