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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 723
Celebrating the life of Leonard Coleman.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 28, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 3, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Leonard Coleman, former vice mayor of Altavista and beloved community supporter, died on June 9, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Altavista, Leonard Coleman was born on April 18, 1924, and as a young man, proudly served his country during World War II onboard the United States Navy destroyer U.S.S. Mason; in 1994 he and the other surviving crew members received a commendation from President Clinton for their heroism; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Leonard Coleman returned to his beloved Altavista and began work for the United States Postal Service as a janitor; he worked his way up and became the first black rural mail carrier in the office, a position he held for 36 years; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated entrepreneur, Leonard Coleman founded Coleman Construction Co., which he successfully ran for three decades; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Coleman oversaw the construction of quality homes in the Lenora Heights subdivision and in Pittsylvania, Campbell, Bedford, and Halifax counties; he received the Distinguished Builder Award from American Standard Homes Corp. in 1975; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of service to the community, Leonard Coleman served on the Altavista Town Council from 1980 to 1992 and as vice mayor from 1992 to 1996, where he worked diligently for the well-being of all town members; and

WHEREAS, admired for his gracious spirit and respected for his business acumen and knowledge about town issues, Leonard Coleman was especially interested in ensuring that all Altavista townspeople had work and affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Coleman generously gave of his time and talents in the community as a member of the Disabled American Veterans, where he was instrumental in starting the Christmas basket program; Altavista Chamber of Commerce; Central Virginia Health Planning Commission; and YMCA board; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Coleman received numerous awards and honors for his service to the community including the Altavista Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award, Fifth District Voters League community service award, and Campbell County Branch NAACP distinguished community service award; and

WHEREAS, a man of great faith, Leonard Coleman lived his faith through his works and as an active member of First Baptist Church, where he served on the Deacon and Trustee Boards and as a Men’s Sunday school teacher; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Coleman leaves behind a sterling legacy of service to his family, community, church, and country that others may emulate; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Leonard Coleman will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Eudora; daughter Dorella; grandson Leonard; and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an outstanding public servant and admired Virginian, Leonard Coleman; 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 Leonard Coleman as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.