WHEREAS, Devon Henry, chief executive officer and president of Team Henry Enterprises, LLC, a multidiscipline contracting firm headquartered in Newport News, has performed an important service for the Commonwealth by aiding in the removal of Confederate statues and monuments at the request of Governor Ralph Northam and local officials; and

WHEREAS, active and engaged in his community, Devon Henry has served as vice chairman of the March of Dimes Virginia Board of Directors, as chairman of the Virginia Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee, and on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Business League and Venture Richmond; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Norfolk State University, Devon Henry was appointed to the institution's board of visitors in 2016 and currently serves as its rector; he is also a member of the Norfolk State University chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, over the past 15 years, Devon Henry has developed Team Henry Enterprises into an award-winning general contracting firm that has ably carried out various construction and renovation projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States; and

WHEREAS, Devon Henry and his crew's services were requested by the Commonwealth in June 2020 following Governor Northam's directive to the Department of General Services to remove the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Devon Henry was also subsequently contracted by the City of Richmond to remove other Confederate statues in the municipality, including Stonewall Jackson, Matthew Fontaine Maury, J. E. B. Stuart, and more; and

WHEREAS, as of April 2022, Devon Henry has helped remove 23 Confederate statues or monuments throughout the Southeastern United States and has bravely carried out this task despite being confronted by death threats and other scare tactics, recognizing the magnitude of his role in this chapter of the history of the United States and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, in the face of considerable personal and professional risk, Devon Henry has been resolute in his willingness to help the Commonwealth address the inequities of its past, demonstrating courage and determination that will inspire many for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Devon Henry hereby be commended for his expertise and service in removing Confederate statues and monuments in the Commonwealth and beyond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Devon Henry as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth.