SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2002 SESSION

028700776
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 491
Offered March 4, 2002
Commending Virginia Task Force One.
----------

Patrons-- Hull, Abbitt, Albo, Almand, 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, 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
----------

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, terrorists launched an inexcusable attack on the United States, causing great destruction and horrible human suffering in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, the attack had a devastating effect in Virginia, home of the Pentagon and of many of the personnel, military and civilian, who served there; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One was dispatched to the Pentagon in the early afternoon of September 11 and assisted in the early and crucial period of search and rescue operations; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One, established in 1986, is sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Disaster Response Agency; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One is one of only two Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance urban search and rescue task forces; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Task Force One's specialists include firefighters and paramedics from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and highly trained civilians, including doctors trained in emergency medicine, canine handlers, structural engineers, communication experts, and heavy equipment and rigging specialists; and

WHEREAS, with approximately 130 members, Virginia Task Force One has a 62-person task force available for national and international missions on a moment's notice; and

WHEREAS, on September 19, 2001, more than a week after the attacks, the members of Virginia Task Force One were relieved by teams from Virginia Beach and Memphis, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, on September 11 and for days afterward, Virginia Task Force One performed with great courage, dedication, and professionalism; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the members of Virginia Task Force One for their prompt and effective reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Virginia Task Force One as an expression of the admiration and gratitude of the General Assembly.