WHEREAS, Mona H. Belkov was born on January 23, 1918, as one of four children to Sol and Rose Halprin in the Bronx, New York City; and

WHEREAS, in 1937, Mona Halprin and her family moved to Norfolk, where she met her future husband, Irvin Belkov, during a blind date in Norfolk's Ocean View at a beach party; he was not her date, but it was love at first sight, and the couple were married in 1939; and

WHEREAS, Mona and Irvin Belkov enjoyed more than 73 happy years together, living in Hampton Roads almost that entire time; her three sons were all born in Norfolk, and regardless of circumstances, she never lost her bright smile, her love of life, or her dedication to her family; and

WHEREAS, Mona Belkov began her professional career during the Great Depression, and when her husband was called to serve the nation during World War II, she jumped in to help run the family business; and

WHEREAS, Mona Belkov's family was instrumental in the development and ownership of Wards Corner as a commercial area, where her husband owned Crossroads Restaurant; she recently sold the remaining property in Wards Corner for the development of the new Harris Teeter shopping area; and

WHEREAS, Mona Belkov's father purchased and developed a large tract of land on East Little Creek Road, which became the Roosevelt area; Halprin Drive was named for her family, and her father named the next major street Mona Avenue in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Mona Belkov was an early pioneer as a successful woman in the real estate industry, selling residential, commercial, and recreational properties; and

WHEREAS, even at 100 years old, Mona Belkov maintains her own apartment and continues to cultivate a vibrant social network; her bright, optimistic outlook on life makes her a joy to be around; and

WHEREAS, Mona Belkov is the mother of three children, the grandmother of four grandchildren, and is blessed with one great-grandchild, all of whom have inherited her kind, loving demeanor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Mona H. Belkov hereby be commended on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mona H. Belkov as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her contributions to the community and best wishes.