WHEREAS, walking is an important source of mental stimulation, growth, and health through cultural and natural tourism, historical education, and providing a connection to natural tranquility; and

WHEREAS, walking as a recreational activity and a popular sport provides proven benefits to physical health for the heart, joints, and movement, mitigating the impacts of aging, and in cancer prevention, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, walking provides a sound and proven opportunity to experience the critical benefit of fellowship and companionship; and walking is crucial to human connections, community building, and transportation infrastructures; and

WHEREAS, walking provides the opportunity to experience spiritual connections to the world, both seen and unseen; and

WHEREAS, walking brings families together through the generations; and

WHEREAS, walking, as a lifetime goal, provides the opportunity for all people from all communities to experience the importance of walking in a variety of situations; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has numerous parks, communities, and paths that highlight these benefits;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize the first seven days of April 2022, as VIRGINIA WALKING WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens and like-minded organizations for health and wellness, government, sport, education and tourism to join with me in promoting the values and benefits of this important activity.