SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 428 Offered January 16, 2007 Commending Project Lifesaver. ---------- Patron-- Blevins ----------

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver, an international organization headquartered in Chesapeake, is recognized for its outstanding programs benefiting persons in need in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, since its founding in 1999, Project Lifesaver has used radio-tracking and locating technology to save the lives of 1,350 people who have wandered and become lost due to Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Down syndrome, and other medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver has established its excellent programs in 580 public safety agencies in 40 states within the United States and Canada, including 92 programs at work across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver was established by Gene Saunders, with the invaluable support of Sheriff John Newhart and Undersheriff David Newby of the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office and with the special assistance of Benny Rogerson; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver has been praised and endorsed by countless professional and civic organizations, including the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, Florida Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, New Jersey Sheriffs Association, International Crime Prevention Practitioners Association, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Pilot International, and Commonwealth Autism Service; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver has received many honors, including awards from the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter, Commonwealth Autism Service, VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, Chesapeake City Council, and the Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver has received national and international exposure through the television media on "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," "Without a Trace," "Living the Life," "CBS Early Morning Show," "Paul Harvey," "Discovery Channel," and "NBC Nightly News" and the print media in "Dear Abby," Reader’s Digest, Airborne Law Enforcement's Air Beat, The Autism Perspective, The National Sheriffs Association's Sheriff, Law Enforcement Technology, and Parade; and

WHEREAS, Project Lifesaver, a public-private cooperative program, has been instrumental in increasing the efficiency of public safety agencies by reducing costs, saving valuable man hours, and providing preventive programs for persons in need; and

WHEREAS, as the number of citizens who have Alzheimer’s, autism, and other medical conditions increases, Project Lifesaver is committed to providing exemplary programs that protect and safeguard  persons at risk of wandering and becoming lost; and

WHEREAS, with an average search time of under 30 minutes and a 100 percent successful recovery rate, Project Lifesaver is by far one of the most effective search and rescue programs in operation today; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Project Lifesaver for providing its outstanding programs across the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate,  prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Project Lifesaver as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for its extraordinary commitment to citizens in need with Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Down syndrome, and other medical conditions that put them at risk of wandering and becoming lost .