WHEREAS, Bennett Brunner, a student at McLean High School, organized a student walkout on May 26, 2022, to raise awareness about gun violence and gun safety; and

WHEREAS, after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, in May 2022, Bennett Brunner was inspired by one of his teachers to organize the walkout at McLean High School and worked with Students Demand Action, a national organization advocating for gun safety solutions; and

WHEREAS, more than 100 students joined Bennett Brunner to participate in the midday walkout from McLean High School, which highlighted students' ongoing concerns about mass shootings and promoted the need to end gun violence in the Commonwealth and across the United States; and

WHEREAS, the walkout at McLean High School was one of several such protests held by students across the country, and Bennett Brunner's leadership helped inspired similar walkouts at other schools in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Bennett Brunner hereby be commended for organizing a student walkout at McLean High School to raise awareness about gun violence and gun safety; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Bennett Brunner as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his commitment to civic engagement.