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2014 SESSION

14101157D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 115
Offered January 30, 2014
Celebrating the life of Rear Admiral Norman Venzke, USCG (Ret.).
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Patron-- McWaters
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WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Norman Venzke, USCG (Ret.), a decorated Coast Guard veteran residing in Virginia Beach, died on November 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, Norman Venzke graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1946 and was appointed to the United States Coast Guard Academy; he graduated from the Academy in 1950 and commenced his career at sea in USCGC Ingham based in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Venzke served in a wide variety of operational assignments including duty in seven cutters, four of which were polar ice breakers, two he commanded: USCGC Northwind and USCGC Polar Star; and

WHEREAS, during the Vietnam War, Rear Admiral Venzke served in three concurrent assignments as Commander, Gulf of Thailand Surveillance Group; Commander, Coast Guard Division Eleven; and Fourth Coastal Zone Adviser to the Republic of Vietnam Navy; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement in 1985, Rear Admiral Venzke assumed the duties of the president of the National Defense Transportation Association followed by that of the president of the United States Branch of the Western Front Association; he served as beach master during nine cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula on board a French cruise ship; and

WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Venzke’s military decorations included a Legion of Merit with a combat “V” and two gold stars, a Meritorious Service Medal, a United States Navy Commendation Medal in addition to various campaign medals and Coast Guard and Navy unit commendations; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his considerable duty in Antarctica, the Venzke Glacier was named in Rear Admiral Venzke’s honor; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his distinguished military career, Rear Admiral Venzke was an active member of the Virginia Beach community, in St. Michael Lutheran Church, Rotary International, and the Rotary Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, and a volunteer with the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Norman Venzke will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Erica; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished and decorated Coast Guard veteran, Rear Admiral Norman Venzke; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Rear Admiral Norman Venzke as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his many years of dedicated service to his country and respect for his memory.