Bill Text: VA SJR237 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Lionel Reginald Hope.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-08 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ237ER) [SJR237 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SJR237-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Lionel Reginald Hope, a beloved husband and father, talented community leader, and former Alexandria City Council member who served as Alexandria's first African American vice mayor, died on November 13, 2017; and
WHEREAS, born in Hampton, Lionel Hope attended Phenix High School and excelled at sports, serving as captain of the basketball team and leading the football team to two state championships as its quarterback; and
WHEREAS, after high school, Lionel Hope entered the United States Navy and served his country during World War II; he then attended Hampton University and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, Lionel Hope married Emma Littlejohn; the couple later moved to Alexandria, where he became president of the Alexandria Neighborhood Citizens Improvement Association, an urban renewal organization; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Hope was elected to the Alexandria City Council in 1982 and served until 1992; during his tenure, he advocated for public education, fought to decrease crime, and worked to create more affordable housing in the city as the chair of the Community Development Block Grant Board; and
WHEREAS, on November 13, 1991, Lionel Hope made history when he was elected as the City of Alexandria's first African American vice mayor; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Hope's additional involvement with the City of Alexandria included service with the Alexandria Economic Opportunity Commission, the Alexandria Hospital, the Alexandria Industrial Authority, the Budget Ad Hoc Committee, Hopkins House, Mica Housing Incorporated, and the Potomac Yard Small Area Planners; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Hope was a lifetime member of the NAACP and a member of the American Legion; throughout his career, he received outstanding service awards from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage, and many other organizations; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Hope will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Emma; his children, Lionel Jr., Matheline, Debbie, and Joseph, and their families; and numerous other family members, close friends, and Alexandria residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lionel Reginald Hope, a respected leader who gave exemplary service to the Alexandria community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Lionel Reginald Hope as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
