WHEREAS, Thomas Victory, the president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Richmond, retired in 2013 after 33 exemplary years with the organization; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Victory earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia State University and a master's degree from Howard University; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Victory joined the Urban League of Greater Richmond in 1980 and served for 24 years as its associate director of community organization and housing programs and one year as its interim president and chief executive officer before being appointed to the permanent position in 2005; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the well-being of his fellow residents, Thomas Victory spent his career helping underserved individuals in the Greater Richmond area through advocacy, the provision of direct services, research, and collaboration with other like-minded organizations; and

WHEREAS, a strong and effective community leader, Thomas Victory served as a founding board member of Richmond's first food bank and emergency shelter and a commissioner of Seven Hills Health Care Center; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Victory has also generously given his time and talents to such organizations as the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, AARP, Hope in the Cities, the WTVR-TV/CBS 6 Community Advisory Board, and Virginia Heroes; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Victory is the founder and president of the Victory 7 Mustang Club, which raises funds for community service organizations; and

WHEREAS, a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Thomas Victory also supports Knights of Columbus activities; and

WHEREAS, for his more than 25 years of service to the Urban League of Richmond, Thomas Victory was honored to become a member of the National Urban League's Quarter Century Club; he is also a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Victory has touched the lives of countless individuals through his work with the Urban League of Greater Richmond and community service activities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Thomas Victory hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement as president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Richmond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Thomas Victory as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his distinguished community service and commitment to serving those in need.