WHEREAS, for 70 years, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has showcased some of the best college basketball players from across the nation while supporting young athletes, charitable organizations, and the Portsmouth community; and

WHEREAS, established in 1953, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament is a four-day, 12-game tournament between 64 of the best college seniors in the country; throughout its history, the tournament has featured players that would go on to become some of the best in professional basketball, including Rick Barry, Earl Monroe, Dave Cowens, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Jimmy Butler, Tim Hardaway, and Dennis Rodman; and

WHEREAS, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament first drew the attention of scouts and general managers from the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 1970s, and soon after, more than 200 scouts, general managers, and representatives from every NBA team and international leagues began to attend the event every April; and

WHEREAS, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament strives to be "more than a basketball tournament" and promotes youth sports by awarding seven annual scholarships of $4,000 each to students in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach; the tournament also donates $16,000 in proceeds to a local charitable organization each year; and

WHEREAS, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has also directly benefited the City of Portsmouth by bringing thousands of visitors to the area, including the players, their families, coaches, scouts, and representatives of national and international media outlets; and

WHEREAS, the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament is operated by the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Foundation, which has fulfilled its mission to promote the sport of basketball and enhance community life through generous donations from supporters and the hard work of numerous volunteers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament hereby be commended on the occasion of its 70th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Foundation as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament's contributions to basketball and commitment to philanthropy in the Portsmouth community.