Bill Text: VA SJR172 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending United We Light: Project Guatemala.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-3)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ172ER) [SJR172 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR172-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, in October 2023, 18 lineworkers representing electric cooperatives in Virginia and Maryland traveled to Santa Isabel, Ixcán, Guatemala, to provide electricity infrastructure for the rural village as part of United We Light: Project Guatemala; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives sponsored United We Light: Project Guatemala in conjunction with NRECA International, a division of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association that has brought electric power to more than 160 million people in 45 developing nations; and
WHEREAS, from October 4 to October 22, 2023, the United We Light: Project Guatemala crew members installed more than five miles of primary conductors, transformers, breaker boxes, wired lights, switches and electrical boxes with assistance from the local municipal utility, Empresa Municipal Rural de Electricidad; and
WHEREAS, United We Light: Project Guatemala had an immediate impact on the village it served; in total, 103 connections, including homes, businesses, a church, and a school, were electrified for the first time ever, bringing reliable power to more than 500 people in Santa Isabel; and
WHEREAS, the United We Light: Project Guatemala crew members showed exceptional fortitude and dedication to their mission, adapting to the challenges of working in extreme heat and humidity while navigating eroded dirt roads and political protest blockades; and
WHEREAS, the members of the United We Light: Project Guatemala crew were Denny Crockett of A&N Electric Cooperative; Allan Thacker of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative; Casey Butler and Brandon Thompson of Choptank Electric Cooperative; Mark Bandy and Jason Holley of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative; Genevie Boarman of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative; Blake Sparling and Mauricio Paz of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative; Addison Spicer, Drew Leake, and John Medved of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; Luke Swanson and Tim Wright of Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative; John Johnston, the on-site media contact, Jared Stern, and John Meade of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative; Scott Geovannello of Southside Electric Cooperative; and J.T. Jacobs of the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives; and
WHEREAS, Genevie Boarman of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative became the first-ever female crew member to participate in a NRECA International trip; and
WHEREAS, United We Light: Project Guatemala provided a sense of hope and security by helping to ensure that residents can choose to stay in their home villages; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend United We Light: Project Guatemala for its life-changing service to Santa Isabel, Ixcán, in rural Guatemala; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the hard work and sacrifices of the United We Light: Project Guatemala crew members.
