Bill Text: VA SJR26 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 26 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending Julian C. Metz, Jr., D.D.S.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-01-17 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ26ER) [SJR26 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2014-SJR26-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 26 Commending Julian C. Metts, Jr., D.D.S.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 9, 2014 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 17, 2014

WHEREAS, Julian C. Metts, Jr., D.D.S., the founder of World Pediatric Project, is commended for his work to help critically ill children in developing countries; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Midlothian High School, Julian Metts proudly served his country during the Korean War in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, after his military service, Julian Metts earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond and completed studies at the Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Metts built a successful dentistry practice based on skillful and compassionate care while serving the community; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the South Richmond Rotary Club, Dr. Metts traveled to Guyana as part of a five-member fact-finding mission to research a location to establish a Rotarian clinic; he later returned to set up clinics there to provide medical services to local children; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Metts worked alongside others to bring children back to Richmond for more advanced medical care and helped create a traveling dental practice from a passenger bus that was shipped to Guyana; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, Dr. Metts felt inspired to open a local hospital for the children in need in Guyana and began to work with local community leaders to raise funds; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Dr. Metts' work resulted in the opening of the International Hospital for Children, a virtual hospital that contracted with local hospitals in Richmond to use empty hospital beds; in 2011, the International Hospital for Children merged with a St. Louis nonprofit and became known as World Pediatric Project; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Metts' vision of helping children in need has resulted in life-saving surgeries for more than 5,000 children from Guyana, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Honduras and more than 50,000 children receiving much-needed medical attention; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Metts has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his exemplary work; and

WHEREAS, a humble man, Dr. Metts has generously and thoughtfully given of his time and talents to change the lives of thousands of children and their families through access to appropriate medical care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Julian C. Metts, Jr., D.D.S., for his work with World Pediatric Project; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Julian C. Metts, Jr., D.D.S., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and respect for his dedication to helping children in need.