Bill Text: VA HJR253 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Evelyn Flengas.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ253ER) [HJR253 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2024-HJR253-Enrolled.html

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 253
Celebrating the life of Evelyn Flengas.
 
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 4, 2024
Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2024
 

WHEREAS, Evelyn Flengas, a wildlife rehabilitator in Hampton Roads who rescued countless animals over the years and inspired others through her compassion and dedication to service, died on January 25, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Flengas was born in England and traveled the world with her husband, James, while he was serving as an officer in the United States Navy; she served as a radio show host for the American Forces Network in Rota, Spain, and worked for what was then known as Naval Air Federal Credit Union; and

WHEREAS, after settling in Hampton Roads, Evelyn Flengas became an active member of the community and supported the Kempsville High School band while her children were students there; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, after finding a mallard duck in need of care, Evelyn Flengas discovered her passion for wildlife rehabilitation, and her home-based refuge operation soon included numerous cages and enclosures to temporarily house injured or orphaned squirrels, rabbits, snakes, foxes, possums, and raccoons before releasing them back into their natural habitat; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn and James Flengas incorporated Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge as a nonprofit organization in 2005; the refuge holds local, state, and federal licenses to handle wildlife and has provided exceptional care to thousands of animals in its history; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Flengas promoted awareness and appreciation of native and migratory wildlife through education and outreach and helped foster a lifelong sense of care and respect for the Commonwealth's natural resources among young people; and

WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Evelyn Flengas trained at least 30 volunteer rehabilitators, including Meredith Broadhurst, who has served as president of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge since 2017; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Flengas authored her memoir, A Ride on the Wildside, in 2011, and she was featured in a National Geographic documentary titled "Backyard Bandit" in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Evelyn Flengas will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, James; her three children; 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 Evelyn Flengas; 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 Evelyn Flengas as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.

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