WHEREAS, for 70 years, the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., has worked to enrich, sustain, and support Black communities throughout Hampton and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Inc., is the largest and oldest volunteer service organization for Black women in the United States with more than 14,000 members in more than 283 chapters in 41 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the Bahamas; and

WHEREAS, the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., was established on March 2, 1952, with 11 charter members: Frances Anthony, Norvleate Downing, Helen Hart, Julia Moses, Lazinka Murphy, Corinne Scott, Lillian Smith, Juanita Thomas, Minnie Whiting, Emmy Wilson, and Loyce Woodard; and

WHEREAS, the distinguished members of the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists, and volunteers who have enhanced the quality of life in Hampton through their generosity and servant leadership; and

WHEREAS, the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., oversees a wide range of educational, economic development, and advocacy programs under the national organization's five facets of Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services; and

WHEREAS, the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., collaborates with numerous other community organizations and agencies, implements programs through volunteerism, provides financial assistance, raises money for scholarships for high school students and students attending historically Black colleges and universities, and sponsors public education activities; and

WHEREAS, the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., has partnered with the American Red Cross, local chapters of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, faith communities, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and the American Heart Association; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., be commended on the occasion of its 70th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Hampton Chapter of The Links, Inc., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the organization's commitment to community leadership.