HJ320: Commending Helen Dragas.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 320
Commending Helen Dragas.

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Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 26, 2010
Agreed to by the Senate, March 4, 2010

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WHEREAS, Helen Dragas of Virginia Beach is commended for receiving the 2010 First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award from the Virginia Beach Jaycees; and

WHEREAS, the First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award is presented annually to an outstanding individual who exemplifies the spirit of citizenship and has shown significant leadership in making Virginia Beach a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the Norfolk Academy, Helen Dragas received a bachelor?s and a master?s degree in business administration from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a successful entrepreneur, Helen Dragas served as the president of Dragas Mortgage Company before becoming president and CEO of The Dragas Companies, one of the largest real estate property development and management companies in Hampton Roads, in 1996; and

WHEREAS, as president and CEO, Helen Dragas has looked for ways that the company can contribute to the community it serves; in 2007 the company donated $1.5 million to address homelessness in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, a well-known leader, Helen Dragas has served as director of the Tidewater Mortgage Bankers Association and Virginia Beach Library Foundation and currently serves as director of the Hampton Roads Partnership and Virginia Beach Vision; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas also generously gives of her time and talents to other organizations in the community including the Performing Arts Center, the Norfolk Academy Board of Trustees, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance,University of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Managers, and the College Foundation Board at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas has served the Commonwealth as a member of the board of visitors at the University of Virginia, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, and as a Commonwealth Transportation Board Commissioner; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the 2009 America?s Best Builder Award from Builder Magazine; 1999 and 2009 Lee Evans Award for Management Excellence; 2009 Habitat for Humanity ?Dream Builder?; 2008 City of Norfolk, Blueprint Award for Community Leadership; 2007 YWCA, Women of Distinction Award; and 2007 Inside Business, Women in Business Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas is a worthy recipient of the First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award as her participation in the community has provided not only great benefit to Virginia Beach but a model of service for others to emulate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Helen Dragas for receiving the 2010 First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Helen Dragas as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for her commitment to the Virginia Beach community.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 320
Offered February 19, 2010
Commending Helen Dragas.

Patrons-- Knight, Cosgrove, Howell, A.T., Iaquinto, Purkey, Stolle, Tata and Villanueva; Senators: Blevins, McWaters and Wagner

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas of Virginia Beach is commended for receiving the 2010 First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award from the Virginia Beach Jaycees; and

WHEREAS, the First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award is presented annually to an outstanding individual who exemplifies the spirit of citizenship and has shown significant leadership in making Virginia Beach a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the Norfolk Academy, Helen Dragas received a bachelor?s and a master?s in business administration degree from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a successful entrepreneur, Helen Dragas served as the president of Dragas Mortgage Company before becoming president and CEO of The Dragas Companies, one of the largest real estate property development and management companies in Hampton Roads, in 1996; and

WHEREAS, as president and CEO, Helen Dragas has looked for ways that the company can contribute to the community it serves; in 2007 the company donated $1.5 million to address homelessness in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake; and

WHEREAS, a well-known leader, Helen Dragas has served as director of the Tidewater Mortgage Bankers Association and Virginia Beach Library Foundation and currently serves as director of the Hampton Roads Partnership and Virginia Beach Vision; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas also generously gives of her time and talents to other organizations in the community including the Performing Arts Center, the Norfolk Academy Board of Trustees, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance,University of Virginia Alumni Association Board of Managers, and the College Foundation Board at the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas has also served the Commonwealth as a member of the board of visitors at the University of Virginia, State Council for Higher Education in Virginia, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, and as a Commonwealth Transportation Board Commissioner, and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the 2009 America?s Best Builder Award from Builder Magazine; 1999 and 2009 Lee Evans Award for Management Excellence; 2009 Habitat for Humanity ?Dream Builder?; 2008 City of Norfolk, Blueprint Award for Community Leadership; 2007 YWCA, Women of Distinction Award; and 2007 Inside Business, Women in Business Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Helen Dragas is a worthy recipient of the First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award as her participation in the community has provided not only great benefit to Virginia Beach but a model of service for others to emulate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Helen Dragas for receiving the 2010 First Citizen of Virginia Beach Award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Helen Dragas as an expression of the General Assembly?s respect for her commitment to the Virginia Beach community.