WHEREAS, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads, a nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, has promoted French culture and supported the Franco-American community in the region for 50 years; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance Française comprises more than 843 chapters in 132 countries; the Alliance Française of Hamptons Roads is one of 110 such chapters in the United States and one of four in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, established in 1969, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads is a member of the Federation of Alliances Française of the United States, which promotes the role of France as the first ally of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads fosters a vibrant relationship between the American, French, and Francophone communities of Hampton Roads through French language education and events highlighting French art, literature, history, and gastronomy; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads offers French language classes for children and adults and coordinates a popular French language contest for local students; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads participates in the annual Bastille Day and Yorktown Day celebrations hosted by the Peninsula French Club and the Peninsula French-American Club Christmas party, along with many other events throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads works with other countries to establish sister cities, contributes to the Norfolk NATO Festival, and assists with foreign exchange programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads hereby be commended on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Alliance Française of Hampton Roads as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's unique contributions to cultural life in Hampton Roads.