On behalf of REV UP Virginia I am pleased to endorse HB 54. Internships are an excellent pathway to gainful employment for young adults with disabilities. Coordination of internships requires the time and attention of a professional who is knowledgeable of accommodations needed to support an individual toward exercising his or her abilities and skills to the fullest in the given work setting. Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers to achieving gainful employment. A designated internship coordinator with such knowledge would be a significant step forward for the Commonwealth toward support of gainful employment of persons with disabilities. Therefore REV UP Virginia strongly supports HB 54.

On behalf of the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus, we'd like to express our full support and endorsement for HB 54! We are endorsing HB 54 because only 38% of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. are employed, far below the rate for people without disabilities. This bill strengthens employment opportunities in our Commonwealth, and helps allow disabled youth the opportunity to serve their state, and most importantly- have a clear pathway to gainful employment.

Without financial assistance, VSO Honor Guards performing military honors to those veterans who served their country honorably will cease to exist, primarily because age and attrition. My team provided military honors, both at the veteran’s cemetery and private cemeteries throughout the New River Valley, for 167 families in 2025. We anticipate that number will exceed 200 funerals this year. It is costly to provide uniforms in a United States Military image as well as travel, food expenses and other unexpected ancillary costs we frequently experience. This Grant fund will go a long way to help VSO’s continue this very important tradition as outlined in U.S.10 code, subsection 1491

VSO Honor Guards need financial assistance in order to maintain staffing and recruit new members to assist veterans families during their loved ones final military salute. Without this assistance the VSO Honor Guards will parish due to attrition and veterans will no longer enjoy full military honors every veteran that honorably served their country deserves.

Good afternoon, Chair, My name is Kristi Black and I am representing the Prince William County Chamber, which includes approximately 1,400 members in Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park. As the Chamber representing the most diverse county in Virginia, we support HB165 and believe it would provide a substantial means to overcoming barriers to licensure for businesses in our region and across the entire Commonwealth.