Bill Text: VA HJR281 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Virginia Poverty Law Center.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 44-1)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-01 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ281ER) [HJR281 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HJR281-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, a statewide nonprofit organization located in Richmond that has worked tirelessly to provide leadership, support, training, education, and advocacy for the Commonwealth's low-income residents, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2018; and
WHEREAS, originally known as the Virginia State Legal Aid Society Support Center, the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) was founded in 1978 with the goal of advocating for legal justice for Virginians in need; and
WHEREAS, as a leading resource on information and issues related to poverty law, the VPLC provides training to the legal aid community, private attorneys, and other advocates for low-income residents; it also assists individuals and legal aid programs with legislative and administrative proposals that affect the poor; and
WHEREAS, the VPLC has spearheaded a number of initiatives during its history, including 1978's Food Law Project, which sought to address a lack of adequate food and nutrition for Virginians in need; and
WHEREAS, the VPLC has advocated on behalf of nursing home patients, youth in foster care, and domestic violence victims, and has supported improvements and increases to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, increased access to health care for low-income people, robust landlord and tenant laws, and restrictions on predatory lending practices; and
WHEREAS, among many other programs, the VPLC has established Virginia Hunger Solutions, which helps feed and improve nutrition for the needy; "Enroll Virginia!," which aids low-income residents with access to affordable health care; and the Affordable Clean Energy program, which strives to raise awareness of the burden that high utility bills place on the poor; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the VPLC has created a Predatory Loan Help Hotline to assist victims of predatory lending practices and a Statewide Senior Legal Helpline to provide legal advice to Virginians age 60 and older; and
WHEREAS, the VPLC has also raised awareness of underrepresented and underserved groups with initiatives such as 2008's "Voices for Change," an art competition for youth living in foster care, and a photography project entitled "Through Different Eyes: The Faces of Poverty in Virginia"; and
WHEREAS, since its founding four decades ago, the VPLC's talented attorneys and staff have worked tirelessly to increase assistance, opportunities, and justice for low-income Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Poverty Law Center on the occasion of its 40th anniversary and for providing valuable aid to the residents of the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Poverty Law Center as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its ongoing efforts in support of the less fortunate.
