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2009 SESSION
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude, a devoted father, died on September 8, 2008, while saving his son’s life; and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2008, Thomas Vander Woude was working in his yard with his youngest son, 20-year-old Joseph, who has Down’s syndrome, when Joseph fell through the septic tank cover into the septic tank; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude tried to pull Joseph out of the tank but realizing that he could not, he leapt into the tank himself while a workman at the house told Thomas’ wife to call 911; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude managed to get underneath his son and push his son’s head above the water while the workman and mother pulled Joseph from above; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude was able to keep Joseph’s head above the water so he could continue to breathe until help arrived 15 minutes later; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude could not be revived when the paramedics arrived, but his heroic actions saved the life of his son; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude’s actions that day were a reflection of how he lived his life as a dedicated and hard-working father; and
WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Thomas Vander Woude and his loving wife Mary Ellen together raised seven sons; he enjoyed spending time with each one of them; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude was actively involved in his sons’ lives, coaching all of them in basketball through elementary school, high school, and college; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Vander Woude, a Vietnam War veteran, proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 17 years and went on to work as a commercial airline pilot for 26 years; and
WHEREAS, from 2002 to 2007, Thomas Vander Woude was the athletic director/coach at Christendom College in Front Royal, and he served as a sacristan at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish since 2001; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a dedicated father and outstanding Virginian, Thomas Vander Woude; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas Vander Woude as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.