HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee on Rules on January 22, 2008) (Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Peace) Designating October, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia.

WHEREAS, every child in Virginia is a precious gift, full of promise and potential, and parents are charged with the responsibility of modeling and reinforcing character traits that help children grow into responsible and caring adults; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Governor James Gilmore recognized October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia to increase the awareness of parents, teachers, school administrators, state and local agencies, civic organizations, and the public of the importance of supporting young people, who represent the future of the Commonwealth as its most valuable resource; and

WHEREAS, throughout Virginia, parents are their children's most important teachers, instilling valuable character traits, such as responsibility and a sense of duty and integrity, strengthening and enabling them as they face the challenges of life; and

WHEREAS, young people with strong character and moral convictions have the knowledge and integrity to make wise decisions when confronted by situations involving alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco, and violence; and

WHEREAS, developing strong coalitions of committed individuals who recognize the importance of providing families and communities with tools to enable youths to make right choices is vital to our Commonwealth's continued prosperity; and

WHEREAS, families are still the strongest influence in the lives of young people and the decisions they make, and families benefit from encouragement and from having tools to assist them in guiding their children to make right choices; and

WHEREAS, young people benefit from the love, leadership, and fortitude displayed in all aspects of their lives by caring and responsible adults who instruct and discipline them in preparation for life's inevitable challenges; and

WHEREAS, the celebration of October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia will continue to promote the formation of character and integrity in young Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate October, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia, to encourage awareness by all of Virginia's citizens of the vital needs of young people as the Commonwealth's most valuable resource; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia on the General Assembly’s website.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled November 27, 2007 Designating October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia. ---------- Patron-- Peace ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, every child in Virginia is a precious gift, full of promise and potential, and parents are charged with the responsibility of modeling and reinforcing character traits that help children grow into responsible and caring adults; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Governor James Gilmore recognized October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia to increase the awareness of parents, teachers, school administrators, state and local agencies, civic organizations, and the public of the importance of supporting young people, who represent the future of the Commonwealth as its most valuable resource; and

WHEREAS, throughout Virginia, parents are their children's most important teachers, instilling valuable character traits, such as responsibility, a sense of duty and integrity, strengthening and enabling them as they face the challenges of life; and

WHEREAS, young people with strong character and moral convictions have the knowledge and integrity to make wise decisions when confronted by situations involving alcohol, drugs, sex, tobacco, and violence; and

WHEREAS, these five risk behaviors are interconnected, and involvement in one increases the likelihood of involvement in other risk behaviors, and the protective factors that prevent participation in risk behaviors and encourage right choices are also interconnected and similar; and

WHEREAS, developing strong coalitions of committed individuals who recognize the importance of providing families and communities with tools to enable youths to make right choices is vital to our Commonwealth's continued prosperity; and

WHEREAS, families are still the strongest influence in the lives of young people and the decisions they make, and families benefit from encouragement and from having tools to assist them in guiding their children to make right choices; and

WHEREAS, young people benefit from the love, leadership, and fortitude displayed in all aspects of their lives by caring and responsible adults who instruct and discipline them in preparation for life's inevitable challenges; and

WHEREAS, the celebration of October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia will continue to promote the formation of character and integrity in young Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly recognize October, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia, encouraging awareness by all of Virginia's citizens of the vital needs of young people as the Commonwealth's most valuable resource; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of October as Right Choices for Youth Month in Virginia on the General Assembly’s website.