HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 229 Offered January 15, 2008 Commending the Richmond Crusade for Voters. ----------
Patrons-- Hall, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, BaCote, Barlow, Bouchard, Cox, Dance, Eisenberg, Howell, A.T., Hull, Jones, D.C., Lewis, Loupassi, Massie, McClellan, Melvin, Moran, Morrissey, Nichols, O'Bannon, Peace, Poisson, Shannon, Spruill, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Vanderhye, Ward, Ware, O. and Ware, R.L.; Senators: Marsh and McEachin
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WHEREAS, the Richmond Crusade for Voters has served the Richmond Metropolitan Community and its citizens for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1956, the Richmond Crusade for Voters was established by three distinguished cofounders, Dr. William S. Thornton, Dr. William Ferguson Reid, and John M. Brooks, who were visionary and influential leaders in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Crusade for Voters grew out of the Council to Save Public Schools, a Richmond organization formed to fight a January 1956 law that allowed cities in Virginia the option of closing rather than integrating public schools; and

WHEREAS, the 1988 November - December edition of Richmond Surroundings published the original goal of the Richmond Crusade for Voters as "increasing effective black participation in Richmond's political process"; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Crusade for Voters' mission continues to be "to increase the voting strength of the population of the City of Richmond and to improve the moral, social, economic, educational and general welfare of our people"; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Crusade for Voters strives to increase the voice and influence of all African Americans in the political process by encouraging voter registration among black citizens, endorsing excellent candidates, and increasing voter turnout citywide; and

WHEREAS, the Richmond Crusade for Voters was instrumental in electing the first black majority on the Richmond City Council, which picked Henry L. Marsh III as the city's first African-American mayor in 1977; and

WHEREAS, twelve years after the Richmond Crusade for Voters was formed, cofounder Dr. William Ferguson Reid became the first black member of the Virginia General Assembly since Reconstruction, and he represented Richmond and Henrico County with distinction in the House of Delegates from 1968 to 1973; and

WHEREAS, over the years, the Richmond Crusade for Voters has touched the lives of many citizens in the City of Richmond by educating them on the importance of their privilege to vote and how their vote can make a difference, providing a forum for the candidates, and providing information on important public issues of concern to all of Virginia's citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Richmond Crusade for Voters for its outstanding service to the Richmond Metropolitan Community for over 50 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Richmond Crusade for Voters as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude to the organization for its commitment to the voters of the Commonwealth.