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2002 SESSION

028652608
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 454
Offered February 28, 2002
Commending the Virginia State Police.
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Patrons-- Almand, Abbitt, Albo, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, Barlow, Baskerville, Bell, Black, Bland, Bloxom, Bolvin, Brink, Broman, Bryant, Byron, Callahan, Carrico, Christian, Cole, Cosgrove, Councill, Cox, Crittenden, Darner, Devolites, Dillard, Drake, Dudley, Gear, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, Hull, Hurt, Ingram, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., Jones, S.C., Keister, Kilgore, Landes, Lingamfelter, Louderback, Marrs, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McDonnell, McDougle, McQuigg, Melvin, Miles, Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, O'Brien, Oder, Orrock, Parrish, Petersen, Phillips, Plum, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Reese, Reid, Rollison, Rust, Saxman, Scott, Sears, Sherwood, Shuler, Spruill, Stump, Suit, Tata, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Wardrup, Ware, Watts, Weatherholtz, Welch, Wilkins, Woodrum and Wright; Senators: Barry, Blevins, Bolling, Byrne, Chichester, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, Martin, Marye, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Miller, Y.B., Mims, Newman, Norment, Potts, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Trumbo, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police have played a vital role in the Commonwealth's response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and their aftermath; and

WHEREAS, more than 250 members of the Virginia State Police have assisted with recovery operations and have provided security or assistance in the investigations of the events of September 11; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police were among the first responders to the scene at the Pentagon, and two State Police troopers, Myrlin Wimbish and Michael Middleton, risked their lives by entering the Pentagon in an attempt to rescue survivors; and

WHEREAS, members of the Virginia State Police provided crowd control and traffic control, escorted remains, provided tactical security, and conducted bomb sweeps and searches; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police coordinated with other agencies, including the FBI, the Pentagon Police, and the Arlington County Police, in operating a command post and providing police patrol services in and around the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, in addition, the Virginia State Police assisted in evacuating areas at risk, implemented traffic control in and around the site, and established security and accessibility policies around the site; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police provided security at power plants, airports, and tunnels and assisted in the unimpeded and uninterrupted transport of equipment, vehicles, and personnel responding to the scene along Virginia's highways; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police participated in the joint operations at the State Emergency Operations Center for coordination of resources, response to crisis, and recovery; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police utilized the necessary resources of the department to assist in the response, recovery, and investigation, including aerial support, specialty teams, canines and handlers, investigative support, bomb disposal and armored vehicles, command posts, motorcycles, and communication and video equipment; and

WHEREAS, throughout the response to the events of September 11, the Virginia State Police have worked closely with other law-enforcement agencies to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the men and women of the Virginia State Police for their outstanding and ongoing actions in the wake of the September 11 attacks; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Colonel W. Gerald Massengill, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and gratitude.