WHEREAS, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service, which works diligently to safeguard the millions of visitors to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront every year, conducted hundreds of rescues and provided aid to dozens of individuals over the course of a record-breaking summer season in 2021; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service is a certified agency of the United States Lifesaving Association that provides lifeguard services to the City of Virginia Beach, patrolling more than five miles of oceanfront property; and

WHEREAS, on May 9, 2021, members of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service rescued and helped stabilize an individual who had attempted to drown while experiencing a mental health crisis; and

WHEREAS, later in the month, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service conducted numerous rescues when storm conditions created dangerous rip currents in the waters along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront; and

WHEREAS, during that time, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service pulled numerous swimmers to safety and helped treat several spinal cord injuries from individuals diving into water that was more shallow than expected; and

WHEREAS, on May 23, 2021, alone, the 12-member staff of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service assisted 75 people, 63 of whom were pulled from the water, an incredible amount when compared to the approximately 260 rescues over the course of the entire summer in 2020; and

WHEREAS, on July 4, 2021, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service encountered one of the largest crowds of beach-goers in the organization's history and conducted 31 rescues in one day, as well as reuniting 119 lost children with their families; and

WHEREAS, after the height of the summer season, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service continued to fulfill its mission to serve the community, rescuing three individuals after a skiff capsized on October 5, 2021; and

WHEREAS, in total, the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service rescued 645 victims, transferred 150 individuals to local emergency services agencies for additional treatment, and reunited 903 lost children with their families in 2021; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service for its outstanding performance of its duties in 2021; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Tom Gill, chief of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service, as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for the organization's critical mission.