WHEREAS, Paige D. Cherry, a veteran and the current treasurer of the City of Portsmouth, ably served the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia as grand master from 2016 to 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of North Carolina, Paige Cherry served his country in the United States Army as a field artillery officer and operations research analyst and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious actions during Operation Desert Storm; and

WHEREAS, Paige Cherry continued to serve the military as a civilian employee, working at Fort Monroe Hampton, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and, most recently, the United States Coast Guard's Health, Safety & Work Life Center in Norfolk, providing oversight for 42 clinics; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to his fellow residents, Paige Cherry served on the Portsmouth City Council and subsequently ran for and was elected to the office of city treasurer in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Paige Cherry first joined the Freemasons on December 8, 1990, in Garstedt, Germany; he later affiliated with Morning Star Lodge No. 3 in Portsmouth, where he served as worshipful master from 1994 to 1995 and secretary from 1995 to 2006; and

WHEREAS, Paige Cherry served on several district and grand lodge committees, including as assistant district deputy grand master of the 3rd Masonic District for 11 years; and

WHEREAS, Paige Cherry has also volunteered his time and leadership to enhance the community as a member of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services, the Trustee Board of Zion Baptist Church, and the Portsmouth Kiwanis Club and as a life member of the NAACP; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Paige D. Cherry hereby be commended for his service as grand master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia from 2016 to 2018; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Paige D. Cherry as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his contributions to the Portsmouth community.