SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2010 SESSION

10105328D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 432
Offered March 5, 2010
Commending the agencies, companies, organizations, and people who assisted Virginians in the aftermath of the February blizzards.
----------

Patrons-- Surovell, Abbitt, Abbott, Albo, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Carrico, Cleaveland, Cline, Cole, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Garrett, Gear, Gilbert, Greason, Griffith, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Morrissey, Nixon, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Tata, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright; Senators: Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Houck, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple
----------

WHEREAS, the 2009 - 2010 winter has produced a record snowfall in Virginia, with the Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro area receiving a record 54.9 inches of snow, breaking the previous record set in 1898 - 1899; and

WHEREAS, the winter snows, because of their unprecedented nature, were dubbed Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, and the Snowphoon; and

WHEREAS, the Governor declared a statewide emergency and a snow emergency was declared in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, severe snowstorms caused many closures, icy roads, and numerous car accidents; damaged trees and power lines; and left many Virginians without power; and

WHEREAS, the response of organizations and individuals to the emergency was crucial to mitigating the effects of the record snowfall; and

WHEREAS, many people assisted their neighbors in clearing the snow and volunteered to drive hospital and medical workers to their places of employment; and

WHEREAS, doctors and nurses, emergency medical personnel, and others worked long hours to keep hospitals, clinics, and offices open; and

WHEREAS, employees of Dominion Power, Verizon, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, Cox Communications, and Comcast worked around the clock to maintain and restore service to their customers; and

WHEREAS, many service companies, such as plumbers, heating and furnace repair personnel, roofers, carpenters, and others, responded to many emergencies; and

WHEREAS, first responders from police, rescue, and fire departments saved many lives during and immediately after the snowstorms; and

WHEREAS, nonprofit agencies, churches, mosques, synagogues, and community organizations likewise offered food, water, and blankets to those in need, while shelters provided a much-needed refuge to many from the snow and freezing temperatures; and

WHEREAS, hard-working Virginia Department of Transportation employees and contractors worked before, during, and after the blizzards to keep the roads clear and safe; and

WHEREAS, the employees of Amtrak, the Virginia Railway Express, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and other local transit agencies worked diligently to reopen, maintain, and operate our transit facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force worked diligently to maintain order, clear streets and driveways of obstructions, and assist with public emergencies; and

WHEREAS, the collective efforts of people and organizations, responding to record-breaking snowfalls, were instrumental in helping the people of Northern Virginia and the rest of Virginia following the February blizzards; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the agencies, companies, organizations, and people who provided vital assistance to Virginians during and in the aftermath of the February blizzards.