HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 918 Offered February 14, 2007 Commending the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on its 50th anniversary. ----------
Patrons-- Scott, J.M., Albo, Armstrong, BaCote, Brink, Bulova, Callahan, Caputo, Dance, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Gear, Hall, Hugo, Hull, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Lingamfelter, Marsden, Marshall, R.G., May, McQuigg, Melvin, Miller, P.J., Moran, Morgan, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Reid, Rust, Scott, E.T., Shannon, Sickles, Spruill, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Ward and Watts; Senators: Colgan, Cuccinelli, Devolites Davis, Herring, Howell, O'Brien, Puller, Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple
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WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an independent, nonprofit organization, founded in 1957, comprising elected officials from 21 local governments of the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, and members of the Virginia and Maryland legislatures, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate whose districts cover the Washington metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, the COG was established so that officials from Washington-area jurisdictions would have a forum where they could exchange ideas and work together on issues and problems of regional importance; and

WHEREAS, the COG has developed regional responses in a wide range of areas, including affordable housing, economic development, human services, land-use development, public safety and emergency response, and transportation; and

WHEREAS, some of the COG's successful efforts and initiatives include galvanizing the region's response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and supporting its ongoing emergency preparedness program; organizing one of the nation's first regional conferences on AIDS; developing the region's express bus lane system; and leading the fight against air pollution with a model law and daily air quality index; and

WHEREAS, during the past half century, COG activities have touched every aspect of the life of the citizens of the Washington metropolitan area and have improved the quality of life for all residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for its legacy of outstanding service to the governments and citizens of Northern Virginia.