WHEREAS, Adam Harrell, Sr., a veteran, former educator, and dedicated community leader, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation in 2023; and

WHEREAS, a native of Faison, North Carolina, Adam Harrell graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and subsequently earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from New York University; and

WHEREAS, during his undergraduate studies, Adam Harrell was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program; he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and held active duty postings throughout the country and abroad, then joined the United States Army Reserve, from which he ultimately retired with the rank of colonel after many years of service; and

WHEREAS, in 1957, Adam Harrell and his late wife, Charity, settled in Chesapeake to raise their family; he worked as a math teacher and guidance counselor at the former Crestwood High School, then joined the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP), Inc., where he helped organize and operate a program to support unemployed and underemployed adults; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the establishment of STOP, Inc., Adam Harrell received the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to enhancing the quality of life in Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, Adam Harrell served on the Chesapeake School Board from 1974 to 1982 and was one of the first Black members of the board; in 1983, he joined Deep Creek High School as a guidance counselor and served in that capacity until his well-earned retirement in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Adam Harrell volunteered his leadership ability and wise insights to many community service organizations, including New Chesapeake Men for Progress; he was a founding member of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation, which awards academic scholarships to local students each year; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Adam Harrell was a longtime member of St. John's A.M.E. Church, where he was the chair of the steward and finance committee; he later joined First Baptist Church and has since held numerous leadership positions there; and

WHEREAS, Adam Harrell is a dedicated servant-leader, whose good deeds are grounded in faith and compassion, and he has inspired his sons, Adam, Jr., and William to support their communities and strive to make a difference in the lives of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Adam Harrell, Sr., hereby be commended for receiving the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Adam Harrell, Sr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements in service to the members of the Chesapeake community.