Bill Text: VA HJR283 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Elijah Lee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-03 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ283ER) [HJR283 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HJR283-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee, a 14-year-old activist, public speaker, and ordained minister from Chesterfield County, has touched countless lives through his commitment to community leadership; and
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee has been a leading voice for child abuse since he learned of abuse against one of his peers; and
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee organized his first child abuse awareness march at the age of 10 in rural North Carolina with more than 450 people in attendance; and
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee has raised money to develop two pediatric safe rooms at a hospital for children who have experienced trauma and abuse; and
WHEREAS, Halifax County and the City of Roanoke Rapids in North Carolina have named the first Saturday in March as Child Abuse Awareness Day in honor of Elijah Lee's work; and
WHEREAS, an ordained minister, Elijah Lee gave his first sermon at the age of five and continues to preach at the Church of the Holy City in Emporia; and
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee has been a keynote speaker on issues of child abuse awareness, racism, resilience, and youth empowerment for guardian ad litem programs, foster care events, youth organizations, KIPP Public Schools, and the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Elijah Lee has been featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show, in People and The Week Junior magazines, and in Marvel Comics' Black Panther volume 7, issue 24; he was honored with the designation of Marvel Hero on the Marvel Hero Project, streaming on Disney+; and
WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Elijah Lee has received the Governor's Student Excellence Award, the Youth Impact Award from Halifax Community College, the Youth Civic Services Award from the Northampton County Branch of the NAACP, and Rising Star Award from the Chamber of Commerce; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Elijah Lee for his achievements as a community activist; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Elijah Lee as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his exceptional advocacy on behalf of young people facing abuse.
