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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5102
Celebrating the life of the Honorable Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 12, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, June 12, 2014

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., of Virginia Beach, a proud and loyal veteran and a former United States Senator, died on March 28, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Mobile, Alabama, Jeremiah Denton graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and earned a master’s degree from George Washington University in 1964; and

WHEREAS, while serving as a commander in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, Jeremiah Denton was captured by enemy forces when his bomber was shot down in 1965; a strong and courageous soldier, he endured incredible hardship as a prisoner of war over the next seven years; and

WHEREAS, as one of the highest-ranking officers to be taken prisoner, Jeremiah Denton bolstered morale among the other prisoners by maintaining a high degree of professionalism and pride in his country; he helped institute a secret communication system among his fellow prisoners and famously blinked in Morse Code during a North Vietnamese propaganda film; and

WHEREAS, during Operation Homecoming in 1973, Jeremiah Denton was the first freed prisoner of war to step off the plane at a United States air base in the Philippines, becoming the face of the sacrifice, defiance, and patriotism exhibited by each of his fellow prisoners of war; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Jeremiah Denton became the commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, and he continued to proudly serve in the United States Navy until his retirement as a rear admiral in 1977; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his valorous service, Jeremiah Denton was highly decorated throughout his military career, earning the Navy Cross, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and several other decorations; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Jeremiah Denton made history as the first Republican to represent Alabama in the United States Senate since the Reconstruction era; and

WHEREAS, as a United States Senator, Jeremiah Denton worked to enact important legislation related to the preservation of traditional American values and offered his wisdom and experience to a subcommittee on internal security and terrorism; and

WHEREAS, after completing his elected service, Jeremiah Denton moved to Williamsburg and remained active in public affairs as a speaker; a man of conviction, integrity, and mettle, he served the nation with distinction; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Jane, Jeremiah Denton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Mary; children, Jerry, Bill, Don, Jim, Madeleine, Michael, and Mary Beth; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; 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 the Honorable Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., a loyal veteran and a former United States Senator; 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 the Honorable Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.