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2010 SESSION

10105632D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 384
Offered March 3, 2010
Commending the Capitol Security Working Team.
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Patrons-- Sherwood; Senator: Houck
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WHEREAS, the Capitol Security Working Group (CSWG), established under the administration of Governor Mark Warner and continued by Governor Tim Kaine’s Office of Commonwealth Preparedness, is composed of members of the Governor’s Office of Commonwealth Preparedness, Virginia House of Delegates, Senate of Virginia, Supreme Court of Virginia, Virginia Division of Capitol Police, Virginia Department of State Police, Virginia Department of General Services, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Virginia Department of Emergency Management; and

WHEREAS, the efforts of the CSWG represented a concerted effort to achieve common security and preparedness standards and to identify gaps in security and preparedness efforts at state government facilities in the Capitol area; and

WHEREAS, the CSWG established an advisory Capitol Security Working Team (CSWT) composed of members of the Virginia Division of Capitol Police, Virginia Department of State Police, and Virginia Department of Emergency Management, assisted by members of the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of General Services; and

WHEREAS, through their diligent work and research, the CSWT successfully recommended for implementation the following initiatives for improved security of state facilities in the Capitol area:

1. Codification of the “Capitol District,” during the 2008 General Assembly and effective on July 1, 2008, allowing:

            The concentration of security efforts to buildings within the Capitol District;

            The increase of security measures within the District on a temporary basis during special events or in response to specific threats;

            The recognition of critical infrastructure and assets within a geographically defined area;

             A recognizable and specific area when referenced in the Code of Virginia, other government publications, or by the media;

            The allocation of specific funding for use in the “Capitol District”; and

            Efficiency in the emergency evacuation of state government;

2. Implementation of an early warning/notification system for state agency personnel in the Capitol District (State Wide Alert Network);

3. Implementation of a review process by Certified Crime Prevention Specialists of all Capitol District construction and improvement projects; and

4. “All Hazard” assessments for improved security measures of critical infrastructure within the Capitol District; and

WHEREAS, the CSWT was composed of Lieutenant John T. McKee, Virginia Division of Capitol Police; Sergeant Thomas E. Hickey, Virginia Division of Capitol Police; Trooper Shawn C. Molden, Virginia Department of State Police; and Ms. Tamara Brown Caldwell, Virginia Department of Emergency Management; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Lars Hermann, Virginia Department of State Police; Mr. Randy Francis, Virginia Department of Transportation; and Ms. Donna Pletch, Virginia Department of Transportation, contributed to the CSWT as subject matter experts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Capitol Security Working Team for its dedication and hard work to improve the security of state facilities in the Capitol area; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Capitol Security Working Team as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and gratitude for its work on securing the Capitol District.