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2001 SESSION

017776522
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 499
Offered February 13, 2001
Recognizing the valor and the intrepid determination of the crew of the USS Cole.
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Patrons-- Rerras, Barry, Bolling, Chichester, Colgan, Couric, Edwards, Forbes, Hanger, Hawkins, Houck, Lambert, Martin, Marye, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Miller, Y.B., Mims, Newman, Norment, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Trumbo, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams; Delegates: Drake, Jones, J.C., Moss, Robinson, Tata, Wardrup and Williams
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WHEREAS, the USS Cole (DDG 67), an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, the most powerful class of destroyer in the world, is home ported in Norfolk, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, on October 12, 2000, the USS Cole was a victim of the terrorist attack that occurred in the port of Aden, Yemen; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of the USS Cole, commanded by Kirk S. Lippold, Commander, USN, a highly decorated and experienced Surface Warfare Officer, had developed an aggressive and effective damage control training program that prepared the crew to successfully deal with the effects of the devastating attack; and

WHEREAS, the crew's training and preparation, and their quick-thinking response to the attack, undoubtedly saved lives and mitigated serious injury to other crew members; and

WHEREAS, the USS Cole crew, trained in first aid, response to a mass casualty situation, and the establishment of multiple triage sites, contributed to the provision of medical care and safe evacuation of those wounded in the attack; and

WHEREAS, within minutes of the explosion, triage was well underway, the initial casualty evacuation was in progress, and the USS Cole's damage control organization was functioning effectively; and

WHEREAS, also shortly after the attack, the USS Cole's command leadership was aggressively coordinating the efforts to evacuate casualties and save the ship, injured crew members were receiving medical attention, the potential for fire had been minimized, and the effort had shifted to stopping flooding and removing water from the ship; and

WHEREAS, many individual members of the USS Cole crew, despite imminent danger and their own injuries, reacted to the attack with great heroism, dedication, and resourcefulness, contributing greatly to the efforts to minimize casualties and stabilize the ship; and

WHEREAS, that the attack on the USS Cole was not far worse in terms of both casualties and damage is due in large part to the preparation of the ship's command and the quick and courageous response of the members of the crew; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby recognize the crew of the USS Cole for their outstanding response in the immediate aftermath of the attack on their ship and for their heroism; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to Commander Kirk S. Lippold and the crew of the USS Cole as an expression of the admiration of the General Assembly for their heroic and successful efforts to save their ship and their fellow crew members. We are proud of Commander Lippold, the ship's officers, and every single sailor on USS Cole.