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2010 SESSION

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10102085D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 229 Offered February 2, 2010 Commending Captain Richard Phillips. ----------
Patrons-- Miller, P.J., Abbott, Armstrong, BaCote, Barlow, Brink, Bulova, Carr, Dance, Ebbin, Englin, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., James, Joannou, Johnson, Keam, Knight, Kory, Lewis, Marshall, D.W., McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Morrissey, Plum, Pollard, Scott, J.M., Shuler, Surovell, Torian, Tyler, Ward and Watts
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WHEREAS, Richard Phillips, the captain of the Maersk Alabama, is recognized for his bravery and his selfless actions to protect the lives of his crew, following an illegal raid on his merchant vessel on April 8, 2009; and

WHEREAS, the Maersk Alabama is a container ship based in Norfolk, Virginia, which in April 2009 was bound for Mombasa, Kenya, carrying a cargo of food and other aid from the World Food Program to feed hungry people in East Africa; and

WHEREAS, in an attempt to extort ransom, five Somali pirates used weapons and grappling hooks to board the Maersk Alabama and take the captain, his crew of 19 other Americans, and the ship and its cargo hostage; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to change the course of events, Captain Phillips courageously offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the safe release of his crew; he was taken captive by four pirates who fled aboard a small lifeboat; and

WHEREAS, on April 12, 2009, Captain Phillips was rescued by United States Navy personnel through the efforts of Commander Frank Castellano and the USS Bainbridge and through fellow crewmembers on the Maersk Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Captain Richard Phillips resides in Underhill, Vermont, with his wife, Andrea, and their two children; he is a 1979 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Captain Richard Phillips for his bravery and selfless actions to protect the lives of his crew; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Captain Richard Phillips as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his heroism.