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2008 SESSION

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089280256
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 267 Offered March 3, 2008 Commending Petty Officer Second Class Arthur Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Tarry Jones. ---------- Patrons-- Locke and Blevins ----------

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class Arthur Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Tarry Jones are recognized for their courage and diligence in the attempted rescue of a 19-year old Newport News sheet metal worker, working aboard the USS Carl Vinson; and

WHEREAS, the vibrant young Newport News man, Kevin Batten, had worked at the Newport News Shipyard as an employee of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding since July and had recently been accepted into its shipbuilding apprentice school; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class Arthur Stoddard from Waterford, Michigan, and Chief Petty Officer Tarry Jones from Buffalo, Michigan were stationed aboard their ship, the USS George H.W. Bush; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Batten accidentally fell into the James River, while working on the Carl Vinson’s vent plenum protection; realizing the danger of the situation, the two courageous sailors, without a moment of hesitation, jumped into the choppy, 48-degree water and tried to save the young worker; and

WHEREAS, after many failed dives to locate the man in the water, Petty Officer Second Class Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Jones gave up their valiant attempts; and

WHEREAS, tragically, Kevin Batten was lost despite the courageous efforts of Petty Officer Second Class Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Jones; there is no doubt that they are heroes and that they did everything within their power to save the young man’s life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Petty Officer Second Class Arthur Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Tarry Jones for their courage and persistence in the attempted rescue of a fellow citizen; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Petty Officer Second Class Arthur Stoddard and Chief Petty Officer Tarry Jones as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for their commendable actions.