Bill Text: VA HJR1064 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Josh Hardy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-24 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ1064ER) [HJR1064 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HJR1064-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Josh Hardy, a 10-year-old member of the Fredericksburg community who inspired others through his deep faith and personal courage during a long battle with a rare form of cancer, died on September 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, born as the third of four sons to Aimee and Todd Hardy, Josh Hardy was diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine months; he spent much of his life undergoing treatment for his illness, including a bone marrow transplant in kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, a playful and inquisitive child who liked games and sports, Josh Hardy brought joy to others with his smile and sense of humor and relished opportunities to make new friends wherever he went; and
WHEREAS, from a young age, Josh Hardy believed in helping others, and he worked with his kindergarten class to raise money for other children receiving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Josh Hardy's family led a social media campaign to help him obtain access to a clinical trial for a potentially life-saving drug, garnering national media attention with the hashtag SaveJosh; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, to better serve children and adults like Josh Hardy, the Commonwealth expanded access to experimental drugs and other treatments with the "Right to Try" bill becoming the 11th state to pass such legislation; and
WHEREAS, a room named for Josh Hardy at the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis will help provide families with comfort, joy, and happiness in their time away from home; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Josh Hardy was sustained by his deep and abiding faith; he attended preschool at Fredericksburg Baptist Church and enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Fairview Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2016, Josh Hardy's family hosted Josh's Super Hero Costume Celebration at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center; the gathering was open to all children and adults in the community, with the only requirement being that all attendees dress in some form of superhero costume to honor Josh Hardy's memory and his heroic journey; and
WHEREAS, Josh Hardy will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his parents, Aimee and Todd; his three brothers; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Josh Hardy; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Josh Hardy as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
