Bill Text: VA HR656 | 2024 | 1st Special Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Commending Diamond Johnson.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-05-13 - Agreed to by House by voice vote [HR656 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR656-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, in 2024, Diamond Johnson, a point guard on the Norfolk State University women's basketball team, helped the team win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and received the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year award and the BOXTOROW HBCU Impact Award; and
WHEREAS, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Diamond Johnson began her college basketball career with Rutgers University, then played two seasons with North Carolina State University; and
WHEREAS, Diamond Johnson has earned numerous accolades throughout her college career and was previously named to the 2023 Naismith Player of the Year and 2023 Dawn Staley Award watch lists and was a finalist on the 2023 Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-America team; and
WHEREAS, Diamond Johnson transferred to Norfolk State University (NSU) in 2023, and over the course of her debut season with the NSU Spartans, she was one of the most dominant players in the conference, averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 2.9 assists per game; and
WHEREAS, as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Newcomer of the Year and the BOXTOROW HBCU Impact Award winner, Diamond Johnson was selected as a member of the 2023-2024 Women's Basketball All-MEAC Team and the All-Defensive Team, as well as the BOXTOROW HBCU All-America First Team; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the MEAC championship title, Diamond Johnson helped the NSU Spartans earn their third consecutive regular season title, set the program record for wins in a season with 27, and advance to the National Collegiate Athletics Association tournament; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Diamond Johnson hereby be commended on winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year award and the BOXTOROW HBCU Impact Award during her incredible 2023–2024 season with the Norfolk State University women's basketball team; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Diamond Johnson as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her exceptional athletic achievements.
