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2011 SPECIAL SESSION I

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5016 Commending Joshua R. Ellington.   Agreed to by the Senate, April 27, 2011 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, April 28, 2011  

WHEREAS, Joshua R. Ellington, the manager of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Staunton River State Park in south central Virginia, displayed extraordinary courage and devotion to duty when a tornado struck the park on April 16, 2011; and

WHEREAS, when tornado warnings were issued for the park, Joshua Ellington had 20 minutes to inform the approximately 100 guests located at the campground, cabins, and shoreline and move them to safety; and

WHEREAS, Joshua Ellington immediately moved campground and cabin guests to the Visitor’s Center; next he checked the boat ramp and then the shoreline for guests and moved them to the shelters; and

WHEREAS, on his drive back to the Visitor’s Center, Joshua Ellington himself was caught in the EF2 tornado that had winds of 120 miles per hour; he stopped the vehicle and waited it out on the floorboard of his truck while trees fell around the vehicle; and

WHEREAS, after the tornado passed, Joshua Ellington enlisted the help of search and rescue class members, already at the park for a training class, to make sure everyone was safe while outside help arrived to help clear the main access road; and

WHEREAS, while Staunton River State Park faced devastating damage with thousands of downed trees affecting approximately 100 acres, no guests were injured; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated Virginia State Parks employee since 1997, Joshua Ellington took quick and decisive action that helped protect guests from harm or fatal injuries in the midst of a powerful tornado; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Joshua R. Ellington for his dedication to the safety of Staunton River State Park guests; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Joshua R. Ellington as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and gratitude for his courageous actions.