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2008 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 466
Commending the rescue squads, police departments, fire departments, sheriff's offices, and state and federal agencies that responded to the tragedy of April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 29, 2008
Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2008

 

WHEREAS, in the minutes, hours, days, and weeks following the calamitous shootings at Virginia Tech, dozens of local, regional, state, and federal public safety and rescue agencies responded to the immediate and long-term needs of the university community; and

WHEREAS, over a dozen local and regional all-volunteer rescue squads and fire departments made 27 ambulances and over 120 people available to assist in the response, with the collaboration of the Montgomery County Emergency Services Coordinator; these were the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad; Virginia Tech Rescue Squad; Christiansburg Rescue Squad; Longshop-McCoy Rescue Squad; Shawsville Rescue Squad; Carilion Patient Transport Services; Giles Rescue Squad; Newport Rescue Squad; Roanoke City Fire and EMS; Salem Rescue Squad; Vinton First Aid Crew; Blacksburg Fire Department; Christiansburg Fire Department; Elliston Volunteer Fire Department; and Roanoke County Fire and Rescue; and

WHEREAS, the following police departments and sheriff’s offices played key roles and contributed to the response: Virginia Tech Police Department; Blacksburg Police Department; Bedford County Sheriff’s Office; Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office; Christiansburg Police Department; Dublin Police Department; Floyd County Sheriff’s Office; Giles County Sheriff’s Office; Henry County Tact Team; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Narrows Police Department; Pearisburg Police Department; Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office; Radford Department of Police; Roanoke City Police Department; Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office; Roanoke County Police Department; Salem Police Department; Vinton Police Department; Wytheville Police Department; and the Virginia State Police who played a crucial and valuable role; and

WHEREAS, the following college and university police departments offered support: Bridgewater College Campus Police; George Mason University Police Department; Hampden-Sydney College Department of Security and Police; Hampton University Police; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Police Department; James Madison University Department of Police and Public Safety; Liberty University Police Department; Longwood University Police Department; Old Dominion University Police Department; Radford University Police Department; and University of Virginia Police Department; and

WHEREAS, in addition, members of the Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement; Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Secret Service were involved in a variety of capacities in the aftermath of the shootings; and

WHEREAS, with professionalism, determination, and compassion, personnel from these many agencies and organizations provided emergency medical assistance, transportation services, security and logistical support, and at times simply comfort to a community that was reeling from unimaginable events; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the rescue squads, police departments, fire departments, sheriff’s offices, and state and federal agencies that responded to the tragedy of April 16, 2007, at Virginia Tech; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to all of the above-named organizations and agencies as an expression of the General Assembly’s enormous gratitude for their actions in the midst of a crisis.