Bill Text: VA HJR336 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Jennifer Toussaint.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ336ER) [HJR336 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HJR336-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Jennifer Toussaint, the talented animal control chief of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, was named the Virginia Animal Control Association's Dr. Kent Roberts Animal Control Officer of the Year on October 19, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Toussaint began her career with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in 2012 as a deputy animal control officer; since 2016, she has served as the League's animal control chief, overseeing a dedicated team of officers and a dispatcher who serve more than 230,000 Arlington County residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and
WHEREAS, as animal control chief, Jennifer Toussaint has a variety of duties, including rescuing domestic animals and wildlife from unsafe situations, catching escaped animals, and enforcing laws concerning exotic pets; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Jennifer Toussaint and her deputies are responsible for aiding Arlington residents who suffer bites from pets or wildlife; in each case, she and her officers ensure public safety by quarantining the animals and confirming their rabies vaccination status; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Toussaint oversees the preparation of cases for the Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney under the dangerous dog code; since taking over as animal control chief, she has personally overseen dozens of dangerous dog cases and helped secure several criminal convictions; and
WHEREAS, with a passion for animal welfare and safety, Jennifer Toussaint has spearheaded new community outreach efforts for the Animal Welfare League of Arlington through social media posts, local events, and public education courses; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Toussaint's other accomplishments include partnering with The Humane Society of the United States' Wild Neighbors Program to organize training seminars for animal control officers, helping to draft an ordinance prohibiting exotic wildlife ownership, and presenting on wildlife issues at the 2017 Animal Care Expo; and
WHEREAS, during the Virginia Animal Control Association's annual conference in Virginia Beach, Jennifer Toussaint was named the Dr. Kent Roberts Animal Control Officer of the Year, an honor given to an individual who has performed outstanding service in the field of animal control; and
WHEREAS, throughout her tenure as animal control chief, Jennifer Toussaint has been committed to protecting animals while ensuring public safety and has served the residents of Arlington County with honesty, skill, and personal integrity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Jennifer Toussaint on being named the Virginia Animal Control Association's Dr. Kent Roberts Animal Control Officer of the Year; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jennifer Toussaint as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her exemplary service to the Arlington County community.
