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2000 SESSION

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006476928
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 406 Offered February 7, 2000 Commending the Fairfax Urban Search and Rescue Team. ----------
Patrons-- Scott, Almand, Amundson, Black, Bolvin, Brink, Callahan, Devolites, Dillard, Hull, Marshall, May, McClure, McQuigg, Moran, O'Brien, Parrish, Plum, Rollison, Rust, Van Landingham and Watts; Senators: Barry, Byrne, Colgan, Howell, Mims, Puller, Saslaw, Ticer and Whipple
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WHEREAS, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department organized its Urban Search and Rescue Team, also known as Virginia Task Force One, to be available to deploy within the United States or overseas at a moment's notice in cases of natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, the more than 140 volunteers on the Urban Search and Rescue Team are drawn from Fairfax County's Fire and Rescue Department and from throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and include urban search and rescue technicians, cave-in experts, canine team handlers, structural engineers, physicians, paramedics, logisticians, and command and control personnel; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, is one of only two search and rescue teams in the United States trained and certified for overseas deployment and whose members stand constantly ready to aid in search and rescue operations worldwide after earthquakes, bombings, and other disasters; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One has worked tirelessly around the clock with specialized equipment such as listening devices, camcorders, concrete cutters, jack hammers, jaws of life, and advanced life support equipment in recent deployments to Turkey, Taiwan, Armenia, the Philippines, Oklahoma City, and Africa; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One not only conducts search and rescue operations, but also helps organize humanitarian relief operations to ensure that help arrives for disaster victims at the right place and the right time; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the Commonwealth owe a debt of gratitude to the selfless volunteers of Virginia Task Force One for their worldwide relief work and for the added security of knowing that such dedicated individuals are at the ready; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Fairfax Urban Search and Rescue Team, Virginia Task Force One, for its dedication to duty and professionalism in responding to tragedy; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Fairfax Urban Search and Rescue Team as an expression of appreciation for its members' heroism and skill in saving lives.