| 12 | 16 | | |
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| 13 | 17 | | |
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| 14 | 18 | | |
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| 15 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Barry Eugene DuVal, an esteemed public servant who admirably led the Virginia business community as president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, retired in early 2025; and |
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| 16 | 20 | | |
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| 17 | 21 | | WHEREAS, Barry DuVal embarked upon his career in public service in 1988 as a member of the Newport News City Council and served as mayor of the locality from 1990 to 1996; and |
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| 18 | 22 | | |
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| 19 | 23 | | WHEREAS, Barry DuVal subsequently served as president and chief executive officer of the regional economic development organization Hampton Roads Partnership and then as the Commonwealth's secretary of commerce and trade from 1998 to 2002; and |
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| 20 | 24 | | |
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| 21 | 25 | | WHEREAS, Barry DuVal was named president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and spearheaded the organization's efforts to foster economic development and competitiveness in the Commonwealth through advocacy initiatives and other endeavors; and |
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| 22 | 26 | | |
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| 23 | 27 | | WHEREAS, during Barry DuVal's tenure, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce became the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, growing from approximately 1,000 members to more than 32,000 members; and |
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| 24 | 28 | | |
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| 25 | 29 | | WHEREAS, Barry DuVal's accomplishments with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce include the launch of WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance, which enabled a consortium of small business owners to purchase affordable health insurance for their employees, and the development and implementation of Blueprint Virginia in 2013, 2017, and 2021, which compiled strategies and policy recommendations to guide the Commonwealth's long-term economic development planning; and |
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| 26 | 30 | | |
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| 27 | 31 | | WHEREAS, in recognition of his leadership and service, Virginia Business magazine has named Barry DuVal one of its Top 50 Most Influential People in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the past six years; and |
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| 28 | 32 | | |
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| 29 | 33 | | WHEREAS, as a result of Barry DuVal's tireless efforts, CNBC has ranked the Commonwealth as the Top State for Business in three of the last six years, giving it more top rankings than any other state in the nation; and |
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| 30 | 34 | | |
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| 31 | 35 | | WHEREAS, beyond his public service and work with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Barry DuVal has made an impact through his involvement with various boards and commissions, including the Board of Visitors for Christopher Newport University and Board of Visitors for James Madison University; now, therefore, be it |
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| 32 | 36 | | |
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| 33 | 37 | | RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Barry Eugene DuVal for his legacy of service on the occasion of his retirement as president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce; and, be it |
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| 34 | 38 | | |
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| 35 | 39 | | RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Barry Eugene DuVal as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth and best wishes for a rewarding and fulfilling retirement. |
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