HJ 157 — Commending Debra Collins.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24100336D I HOUSE JOfferedJOINT FebruaryRESOLUTION 8,NO. 2024 N Commending Debra Collins.

––––––––––157 TE Patrons––Bennett-ParkerCommending andDebra Lopez;Collins.

Senators:N Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 12, 2024 R Agreed to by the Senate, February 15, 2024 O WHEREAS, Debra Collins, longtime deputy city manager of the City of Alexandria, who devoted L nearly two decades to the success and well-being of the Alexandria community, retired on July 1, 2023;

EbbinL and McPikesupporting Rnonprofit ––––––––––organizations Oproviding WHEREAS,at-risk Debrayouth Collins,services, longtimerehousing deputyassistance, cityand managertransitional ofhousing thefor Citypeople ofaffected Alexandria,by whodomestic devotedviolence nearly two decades to the success and well-beingsubstance ofuse thedisorders; Alexandria community, retired on July 1D 2023;

andWHEREAS,and DebraD CollinsWHEREAS, developedfollowing aan passioneight-year forstint serviceas in the earlysecond yearsdeputy commissioner of the Department of Social Services in Erie County, New York, Debra Collins began her career whilein supportingAlexandria nonprofitwhen organizationsshe providingwas at-riskappWHEREAS, youthfive services,years rehousinglater, assistance,after andleading transitionalthe housingconsolidation forof peoplethree affectedcity byagencies domesticin violencecreating the Department of Community and substanceHuman useServices disorders;(DCHS), Debra Collins joined the City Manager's Office as assistant city manager;

and Cassuming WHEREAS,the followingresponsibility anof eight-yearoverseeing stint as the secondcity's deputypublic commissionersafety ofagencies, theincluding Departmentits oEpolice, Socialfire, Servicesand inemergency Eriecommunications County,departments, NewDCHS, York,the DebraDepartment Collinsof beganHuman herResources, careerthe inOffice Alexandriaof when5 sheHuman wasRights, appointedand the city'sDepartment director of humanRecreation, servicesParks, inand 2003;Cultural Activities;

and DR DepartmentWHEREAS, ofDebra CommunityCollins andinteracted Humanwith Servicesa (DCHS),wide Debrarange Collinsof joinedagencies, theinstitutions, Cityand Manager'seatingorganizations in Service Unit, the OfficeAlexandria asLibrary, assistantand citythe manager;Sheriff's Office;

and WHEREAS, Debra Collins was named deputy city manager of the City of Alexandria in 2012, assuming the responsibility of overseeing the city's public safety agencies, including its police, fire, and emergency communications departments, DCHS, the Department of Human Resources, the Office of Human Rights, and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities;

and Alexandria as the city's liaison to the Health Department, the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Courtns in Service Unit, the Alexandria Library, and the Sheriff's Office;

and WHEREAS, Debra Collins' many noteworthy achievements include the consolidation of city services atreinstatement of the RedellaCity S.Schools Staff Group, and the creation of the Center for Alexandria's Children, an advocacy and education center for families developed in partnership with ACT for Alexandria;

"Del"and PepperWHEREAS, Communitythrough Resourceinspired Center,leadership alsoand knownan asunwavering thecommitment Westto Endserving Cityothers, Hall,Debra theCollins reinstatementhas ofmade a profound impact on the Citylives Schoolsof Staffcountless Group,individuals and families in Alexandria, earRESOLVED by the creationHouse of Delegates, the CenterSenate forconcurring, Alexandria'sThat Children,the anGeneral WHEREAS,Assembly throughhereby inspiredcommend leadershipDebra andCollins anon unwaveringthe commitmentoccasion toof servingher others,retirement; Debraa;

andand, Collinsbe hasit madeRESOLVED aFURTHER, profoundThat impactthe onClerk of the livesHouse of countlessDelegates individualsprepare anda familiescopy inof Alexandria,this earningresolution herto the praiseCity andof esteemAlexandria.Collins as an expression of allthe Virginians;General Assembly's admiration for her service

now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Debra Collins on the occasion of her retirement;

and, be it :

35 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution 37 to the City of Alexandria.Collins as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her service 4