HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 993 Offered February 19, 2007 Commending Operation Golden Rule. ---------- Patron-- Cline ----------

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule was established in Lexington to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina and continues this important work today; and

WHEREAS, on August 29, 2005, Operation Golden Rule volunteers realized the extent to which Hurricane Katrina had wreaked havoc in New Orleans, Louisiana, and therefore dedicated their time and talents to assisting in recovery and rebuilding efforts; and

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule founders Ann and Jerry Nay first traveled to New Orleans to assess how volunteer teams would be able to assist and to learn what assets would be necessary; and

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule volunteers have made five additional trips in their humanitarian outreach efforts; and

WHEREAS, in February 2007, Operation Golden Rule has 16 volunteers from Lexington and Rockbridge County working in New Orleans; and

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule volunteer teams have included staff and students of Washington and Lee University and representatives from R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church, First Assembly of God Church, Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, Modine Manufacturing Company, Rockbridge Area Hospice, and other members from the wider community; and

WHEREAS, during the second trip to New Orleans, Operation Golden Rule team members worked long and hard to ready living quarters for volunteers in a place now lovingly called “Chapel House”; and

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule volunteers often reflect on their experiences and the devastation they noted in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane and even in the time that has elapsed since August 2005; and

WHEREAS, Operation Golden Rule team members note the determination of New Orleans residents, many of whom have returned to begin the hard work of restoring their homes, their churches, their businesses, and their communities; and

WHEREAS, with their firsthand experiences in New Orleans, Operation Golden Rule volunteers are aware of the arduous tasks that remain for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and are determined to continue their ecumenical, humanitarian outreach, and their outstanding service is a reminder of the citizen volunteers across the Commonwealth who have reached out to assist their fellow citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Operation Golden Rule team members for their commitment to assist the people of New Orleans; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Operation Golden Rule, as well as Team Number Six upon their return from New Orleans, as an expression the General Assembly’s appreciation for the organization’s humanitarian efforts.