WHEREAS, the McLean High School Highlander marching band won the USBands Virginia State Championship staged on October 21, 2017, in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, USBands is the largest sanctioning body for scholastic music competitions in the United States; its 2017 Virginia State Championship featured 16 high school bands from across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, performing a program entitled "Not All Heroes Wear Capes," the McLean High School Highlander marching band combined precision drills and movement with expert musicianship to finish first place overall at the state championship; and

WHEREAS, the McLean High School Highlander marching band also won awards for best music, best general effect, and best visual; and

WHEREAS, the victory marked the second straight USBands Virginia State Championship win for the McLean High School Highlander marching band, which consists of nearly 200 talented musicians and color-guard members; and

WHEREAS, the McLean High School Highlander marching band's state championship win is a testament to the skill and dedication of all its student-performers, the exemplary leadership of its directors, and the enthusiastic support of families, friends, and the entire McLean High School community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the McLean High School Highlander marching band on winning the 2017 USBands Virginia State Championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Chris Weise, director of the McLean High School Highlander marching band, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the band's spectacular accomplishments.