Commending the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus.

Commending the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus.
WHEREAS, the mission of the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus is to promote and advocate for disability rights, increase awareness, and empower the voices of Virginians with disabilities across the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, with over 100 members from across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus is a youth-led organization dedicated to mobilization, training, and empowering disabled citizens; and
WHEREAS, to promote civic engagement and policy advocacy, the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus hosted a lobby day in Washington, D.C., on December 15, 2025, and another in Richmond, Virginia, on January 15, 2026; during these events, disabled citizens across the Commonwealth met with policymakers to advocate for legislation that supports disability rights in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, during the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly, the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus successfully advocated for HB 671, a bill to prohibit disability-based jury discrimination and allow for exemptions upon request for persons with disabilities that impair their ability to serve on a jury; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus also successfully advocated in the 2026 Session for HB 1404, a bill that allows local governments to appoint a non-voting youth representative, increasing youth civic participation in government; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus hosted canvas launches throughout the Commonwealth to empower and mobilize young disabled voters for Democratic candidates that support disability rights; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus hereby be commended for empowering and providing civic engagement opportunities to disabled youth across the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's efforts to empower disabled youth in the Commonwealth.