2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 396

Commending The Family Foundation of Virginia.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2025

WHEREAS, for 40 years, The Family Foundation of Virginia has worked diligently to preserve and promote strong families in Virginia, which is the foundation upon which all free and thriving societies are built; and

WHEREAS, founded in 1985 by Walt Barbee, The Family Foundation of Virginia is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that seeks to establish, through citizen advocacy and enactment of Virginia law, a safe, prosperous, and wholesome climate for families; and

WHEREAS, The Family Foundation of Virginia bases all of its public policy decisions on the principles of life, marriage, parental authority, constitutional government, and religious liberty; and

WHEREAS, The Family Foundation of Virginia researches issues, educates lawmakers, provides critical data, and coordinates statewide support for positive initiatives designed to enhance the culture in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Family Foundation of Virginia has helped champion critical legislation that affirms that a parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent's child; and

WHEREAS, The Family Foundation of Virginia established multiple SpeakUp! groups around the Commonwealth that mobilize parents and citizens to speak collectively about critical issues impacting our communities; and

WHEREAS, in 2020, The Family Foundation of Virginia established the Founding Freedoms Law Center to protect our fundamental liberties, especially the right to life, the freedom to assemble peaceably, the free exercise of religion, the rights of conscience, and the rights of parents to raise their children consistent with their values; and

WHEREAS, The Family Foundation of Virginia's accomplishments are the result of the leadership and dedication of its staff members, the hard work of hundreds of volunteers and dozens of talented college interns, and the generous support of its community partners; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Family Foundation of Virginia for 40 years of strengthening Virginia families; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to The Family Foundation of Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's commitment to advocating for public policies at the state and local level that strengthen families.