House Joint Resolution 1543, sponsored by Bulso, recognizes and honors Igor Babailov, a distinguished portrait and figurative artist from Brentwood, for his significant contributions to the arts and his international acclaim. Babailov has created notable portraits for several Popes, including Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, and was acknowledged as Maestro by Vatican Curator Monsignor Roberto Zagnoli when his work was featured in the Vatican Splendors exhibition alongside masterpieces by renowned artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. His recent achievements include being commissioned to paint the portrait of Pope Leo XIV and having his iconic portrait of George Washington inducted into the Mount Vernon Museum.

Additionally, Babailov has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2022 and recognition as a hereditary noble by the Imperial House of Romanov for his lifetime achievements in the arts. A child prodigy who began painting at the age of four, Babailov has created over 2,000 works, many of which are held in prestigious collections worldwide. The resolution serves to celebrate his artistic legacy and contributions to the cultural landscape.