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By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Mediation Month

WHEREAS, two thousand twenty-three marks the 30th anniversary of the passage of the dispute resolution proceeding statutes in Virginia, legislation that continues to play an important role in institutionalizing the use of mediation in the courts; and

WHEREAS, with continued adherence to the 2002 Virginia Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, numerous governmental entities in the Commonwealth are demonstrating a commitment to the application of creative problem-solving when faced with complex issues and disputes; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia court system continues to administer the mediator certification program and provides a way for the public to locate a mediator for individual services; and

WHEREAS, mediators and other dispute resolution practitioners, through their significant expertise in helping stakeholders find durable solutions to important issues, have demonstrated the value of the field of alternative dispute resolution and the value of mediation as a tool for peacemaking between and among individuals, groups, units, neighborhoods, or countries; and

WHEREAS, many of Virginia’s universities, colleges, and law schools incorporate mediation into their curricula and programs; leaders, managers, and supervisors apply mediation practices and skills in the workplace; and not-for-profit community-based dispute resolution centers provide opportunities to resolve issues effectively and affordably in communities; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of professional entities in Virginia contribute to and provide quality dispute resolution services; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be a leader in promoting the use of such principles and practices;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 2023, as MEDIATION MONTH in our Commonwealth of Virginia, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.