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2002 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 412
Commending Arlington County for its response to the emergency of September 11, 2001.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 2002
Agreed to by the Senate, February 28, 2002

WHEREAS, on the morning of September 11, 2001, the United States was brutally attacked without warning by foreign terrorists, suffering the loss of thousands of lives at the World Trade Center in New York City, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Arlington County has responsibility for providing emergency response to disasters that may occur at various federal facilities in the county; and

WHEREAS, the Arlington County Fire, Police, and Sheriff's Departments responded immediately to the crisis at the Pentagon with extraordinary skill and valor, rescuing injured victims, bringing the fire under control, stabilizing the damaged structure, and recovering those who lost their lives; and

WHEREAS, the Arlington County Emergency Operations Center was activated and fully staffed within 10 minutes of the attack, and for the next 10 days coordinated support for the emergency operations at the Pentagon site, demonstrating professionalism and effectiveness under the most difficult circumstances; and

WHEREAS, throughout the crisis, the Arlington County Fire and Police Departments coordinated effectively with their regional mutual-aid partners and with urban search and rescue teams from across the nation; and

WHEREAS, the Arlington County Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Edward P. Plaugher, conducted the search, rescue, recovery, and fire suppression operations at the Pentagon until September 21, 2001; and

WHEREAS, at the direction of the Arlington County Fire Department, "Old Glory" was displayed at the Pentagon on September 12 as a visual symbol of the nation's patriotism and resolute strength; and

WHEREAS, following Arlington's transfer of the Pentagon site to the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal investigation on September 21, the county's police department, under the leadership of Chief Edward A. Flynn, continued to give support and assistance in evidence collection efforts until September 27; and

WHEREAS, the efforts of Arlington community volunteers and local businesses, and their counterparts throughout the region and across the Commonwealth, have proved to be a source of strength for those still directly engaged in dealing with the tragedy; and

WHEREAS, the Arlington County Police have worked tirelessly in partnership with state and federal agencies to increase security and efficiency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following its reopening on October 2; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the efforts of the emergency response team, all of the components of the Arlington County government have shown professionalism, compassion, and dedication in dealing with the economic and social disruption that resulted from the events of September 11; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Arlington County for its response to the emergency of September 11, 2001; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly commend all members of the Arlington County government who performed heroically at the Pentagon site and who contributed to the recovery effort in the days and weeks following the terrorist attack; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Arlington County staff as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude for their service to Arlington County, the Commonwealth, and the nation.