WHEREAS, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., a community organization incorporated in 1990 to enhance the quality of life in the community through various educational and economic programs, has helped address issues stemming from the high rates of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer suffered by African Americans; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that colorectal cancer, which contributes to more than 50,000 deaths per year in the United States, disproportionately affects African Americans, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula has developed programs to educate the community and encourage individuals to receive regular health screenings; and

WHEREAS, the regular screenings advocated by the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula are essential to a patient's timely diagnosis and successful health outcome, as the vast majority of deaths caused by colorectal cancer could have been prevented through the early detection and removal of cancerous polyps in the colon and rectum; and

WHEREAS, the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., the parent organization of the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, recommends yearly rectal exams for high-risk individuals beginning at the age of 35, addressing the problem that African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer when the disease is in an advanced stage and more difficult to treat and that African Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age than other demographics; and

WHEREAS, each fall, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula partners with the Peninsula Institute for Community Health to offer its annual men's health screening clinic; and

WHEREAS, by providing a free and comprehensive medical evaluation every year to male members of the general public, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula serves a demographic that is less likely to seek prompt medical care, greatly improving health outcomes in the community; and

WHEREAS, with early detection recognized as one of the most effective strategies for mitigating the effects of colorectal cancer, educational programs and patient navigation systems emphasizing screening, like those offered by the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, are a powerful tool in the fight against this disease; and

WHEREAS, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, African American men are 50 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer compared to other population groups and twice as likely to die from the disease; in response to this disparity, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula advocates for regular prostate cancer screenings as part of its public health campaigns; and

WHEREAS, through its annual screening clinic and other activities to raise awareness of these health issues, the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula is driving efforts to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer in the African American community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., hereby be commended for the organization's meritorious efforts to improve public health and address the high rate of colorectal and prostate cancer impacting the African American community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the president of the 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates' high regard for the organization and its efforts to support the health and well-being of residents of the Commonwealth.