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2014 SESSION

14104028D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 229
Offered January 28, 2014
Celebrating the life of Dr. Samuel E. Massenberg, Sr.
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Patrons-- Ward and BaCote
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WHEREAS, Dr. Samuel E. Massenberg, Sr., a passionate educator, loyal veteran, and skilled aviator in Hampton, died on January 8, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Detroit, Michigan, Samuel Massenberg pursued his love of flying from an early age, washing planes at a local airport as a teenager; when the airport went bankrupt, he continued washing planes in exchange for flying lessons; and

WHEREAS, showing uncanny ability as an aviator, Samuel Massenberg flew his first solo flight after only six hours of instruction; and

WHEREAS, in 1950, Samuel Massenberg joined the United States Air Force and attended flight school at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, becoming one of the few African American pilots at the time; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Massenberg went on to train Boeing B-29 Superfortress crews and was transferred to the 307th Bomb Wing in Okinawa, Japan, in August 1952; and

WHEREAS, on January 10, 1953, Samuel Massenberg and his crew were shot down while flying their 13th mission over North Korea; after bravely attempting to elude enemy forces, he was captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp; and

WHEREAS, a strong and courageous soldier, Samuel Massenberg endured great hardship as a prisoner of war; released in 1953, he returned to his family and continued a distinguished military career, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1969; and

WHEREAS, a firm believer in the importance of education, Samuel Massenberg earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 1957 and served as a professor at North Carolina A&T State University; and

WHEREAS, hoping to impart his wisdom and experience, Samuel Massenberg earned a doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; he served as the dean of men at Hampton University from 1969 to 1980; and

WHEREAS, hoping to further help young people in the Commonwealth achieve their dreams, Samuel Massenberg became the director of education for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center; and

WHEREAS, among many other accomplishments in his 26-year career, Samuel Massenberg helped reach many new students by establishing the Langley Aerospace Research Student Scholar program, which fosters excellence among science, technology, engineering, and math students, and the renowned NASA CONNECT distance learning program; and

WHEREAS, Samuel Massenberg will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Samuel, Jr., and Mirian, and their families; numerous other family members and friends; and fellow service members; 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 Dr. Samuel E. Massenberg, Sr., a devoted educator, patriotic veteran, and skilled aviator; 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 Dr. Samuel E. Massenberg, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.