Bill Text: VA HR357 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Freedom Museum.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Bill text as passed House (HR357ER) [HR357 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HR357-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum, located at the Manassas Regional Airport, was founded by two stalwart individuals, John Gregory, a veteran of World War II, and Charles Colgan, Jr., a veteran of the Vietnam War, on July 4, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum's mission is threefold: to honor those Americans who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of freedom; to pay tribute to those who served the nation with honor and distinction; and to provide a place for young citizens to learn of their national history and heritage; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum, daily living out its motto, "Lest We Forget," keeps the memories alive of the 162 men and women—residents from Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County—who, whether military or civilian, died in the service of their country from World War I through the present day, including those who fought against terrorism around the world; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum focuses on local men and women and depicts life in the area and how world events of the time impacted their lives, and it carries out its mission through exhibitions, education, and participation in community events; and
WHEREAS, families who have donated their loved ones' artifacts to the Freedom Museum express gratitude that the museum is preserving their memories in such a public way for future generations to learn that the freedoms Americans enjoy come with a very dear price; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum hosts students and other group tours, and more than 5,000 visitors walked through the Freedom Museum's exhibits in 2018, including people from all across the United States and other countries, making the Freedom Museum an ambassador for the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum engages the community in honoring its local heroes by hosting commemorative events, such as bell-ringing ceremonies on Memorial Day, D-Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day, to honor those who fought in the nation's battles; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum is successfully reaching out to the community with educational programs that bridge the gap across multiple generations and backgrounds to create an appreciation and respect for local heroes; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum helps develop local young men and women into engaged leaders through support of high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and Sea Scouts; both programs offer leadership opportunities for teenagers, teaching them responsibility through activities that are centered on community service; and
WHEREAS, all Freedom Museum events are free and open to the public, and the Freedom Museum operates solely on revenues generated by fundraising activities, membership dues, donations, and sponsorships; and
WHEREAS, the Freedom Museum, with 122 members, of whom more than 40 percent are actively involved in the museum's activities, relies on its members' generous donation of their time and talents as volunteers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Freedom Museum hereby be commended on the occasion of its 20th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Freedom Museum as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for its contributions to the Commonwealth.
