WHEREAS, the Historical Truxtun Civic League provides exceptional service to the residents of the 105-year-old Truxtun community, which is located in Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS, built in 1919, Truxtun was the first planned community for African Americans built in the United States; it was designated as U.S. Housing Project #150C and named after Thomas Truxtun, a commander in the Continental Navy and privateer during the Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, the original Truxtun plan consisted of five-room houses, organized in 203 detached dwellings and 50 semi-detached units, to accommodate 1,265 people or 253 families; it also included plans for a school, church, community center, movie theater, small railroad station, and 35 shops; and

WHEREAS, noted for its self-reliance and self-containment, the flourishing Town of Truxtun was annexed by the City of Portsmouth in 1923; and

WHEREAS, the Historical Truxtun Civic League was founded in June 2005 by Ronald Lucas, Chester Benton, Robert "Bobby" Smith, and Beverly Gray with a plan of restoring the community and instilling a sense of pride in its residents; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Historical Truxtun Civic League is to maintain an environment that is safe, clean, and attractive, while upholding the pride and preserving the heritage of the community; and

WHEREAS, the first event sponsored by the Historical Truxtun Civic League was Community Pride Day 2005, which was attended by families, neighbors, and local officials, including members of the Portsmouth Fire Department, Portsmouth Community Health Department, Portsmouth Sheriff's Department, and Portsmouth City Council; and

WHEREAS, the Historical Truxtun Civic League conducts numerous community outreach events to enhance the local quality of life, including cleanup days and back-to-school events; and

WHEREAS, since 2007, the Historical Truxtun Civic League has marked its progress toward its goals at an annual reunion and awards banquet to announce the year's inductees to the Historical Truxtun Wall of Fame, which honors people who are Truxtun volunteers, supporters, and benefactors; and

WHEREAS, the Historical Truxtun Civic League is supported by the City of Portsmouth, the Wilson Ward Civic League, and the Old Truxtun Community League, and current and former residents are working hard to make their cherished community of Truxtun a safe and vibrant community; and

WHEREAS, the Historical Truxtun Civic League will commemorate the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Truxtun neighborhood at the Truxtun Reunion and Awards Banquet on May 19, 2024, at Maplewood Park; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Historical Truxtun Civic League hereby be commended for its legacy of service to the community and Portsmouth as a whole on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the neighborhood; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Historical Truxtun Civic League as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's commitment to the Truxtun community and the City of Portsmouth.