HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 153 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 11, 2006 Commending Lynne B. Hughes. ----------
Patrons-- Hall, McClellan, O'Bannon and Waddell; Senators: Lambert, Stosch and Watkins
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WHEREAS, Lynne B. Hughes of Rockville, a founder and friend of the nonprofit organizations Comfort Zone Camp and Motherless Daughters, is recognized for her valuable work on behalf of young people who have lost loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Lynne Hughes, at nine years old, lost her mother and three years later lost her father and by the age of 12, knew what it was like to feel unfathomable grief as a result of the loss of both of her parents; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, Lynne Hughes gained personal strength by exploring her emotions and experiences, and decided to dedicate her life to helping others, especially children, do the same; and

WHEREAS, Lynne Hughes graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in communications and worked for over 10 years in nonprofit settings, gaining experience in bereavement training; and

WHEREAS, in 1995 Lynne helped found the national organization, Motherless Daughters, which aids women who have lost their mothers at a young age; and

WHEREAS, in 1998 Lynne Hughes and her husband established the Comfort Zone Camp, a nonprofit organization based in Richmond that holds free weekend camps for young people who have lost a parent, sibling, or caregiver and since the September 11th tragedy, the Comfort Zone Camp has held 14 camps in the New York area for the children of 9-11 victims; and

WHEREAS, Lynne Hughes often has been featured in the media, including articles published in both People and Parents magazine and guest appearances on CNN, NBC’s The Today Show, Fox and Friends, and other news programs and has received Redbook's 2002 Mothers and Shakers award, which annually honors 12 women who have helped to improve the quality of life for people across the nation; and

WHEREAS, believing in the importance of talking about death in a frank manner, and collective healing, which she feels is essential for grieving young people, Lynne Hughes has written a Scholastic book, You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life after the Loss of a Loved One, that offers teen testimonials, group discussion, and perspective; and

WHEREAS, Lynne Hughes generously gives her time and extraordinary talents as a spokesperson to communicate the great need of bereaved children and to help them heal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend an outstanding Virginian, Lynne B. Hughes; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Lynne B. Hughes as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for her commitment to help people who suffer the loss of loved ones.