2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 688

Commending Woodlawn Little League.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025

Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025

WHEREAS, for 60 years, Woodlawn Little League has supported youth baseball and softball programs in Alexandria, giving young people opportunities to learn valuable lessons about sportsmanship and teamwork and helping them to create lifelong friendships and memories; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Woodlawn Little League is to impart to local children the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for authority so that they may become well adjusted, stronger, and happier children and grow up to be good, decent, healthy, and trustworthy citizens; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, Woodlawn Little League was chartered and began playing at McNaughton Fields Park, where the league continues to play today; and

WHEREAS, McNaughton Fields Park came into existence through the efforts of parent volunteers who coordinated with Fort Belvoir to allow the community to build the fields on an unused parcel of land on the edge of Fort Belvoir property, which they initially leased for $1 a year; and

WHEREAS, Woodlawn Little League has offered baseball programs since its inception and expanded to include a Little League-affiliated softball program in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, through the 1970s and 1980s, Woodlawn Little League had competitive teams in the state Little League championship and the Little League World Series; and

WHEREAS, Woodlawn Little League thrived under the coaching and mentorship of the late William F. Entwisle, Jr., for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Woodlawn Little League provides a traditional Little League experience, encouraging children to spend time outdoors and engage in teambuilding; more than 4,400 players have registered with Woodlawn Little League in its 60-year history, many of whom have returned to the program year after year; and

WHEREAS, Woodlawn Little League supports the Woodlawn community with scholarship programs designed to ensure that children from all economic backgrounds have a chance to participate, with more than 60 percent of players participating thanks to scholarships; and

WHEREAS, over the decades, thousands of parents, grandparents, children, and volunteers have participated in and contributed to the success of Woodlawn Little League; and

WHEREAS, in the 2000s, the Fairfax County Park Authority brought McNaughton Fields Park into the county park system and began extensive renovations to better serve the community; and

WHEREAS, the most recent renovation of McNaughton Fields Park, including a new building with a concession stand and comfort station, was completed in 2024; the grand opening of the concession stand will coincide with 60th anniversary celebrations, opening the way for years of continued use by Woodlawn Little League; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Woodlawn Little League on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Woodlawn Little League as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's contributions to the community and best wishes for continued success.