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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I

14200300D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5118
Offered June 12, 2014
Celebrating the life of Rufus Langford.
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Patron-- Ward
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WHEREAS, Rufus Langford, a tireless advocate for civil rights, bold voice for transparency and justice, and proud citizen of the City of Hampton, died on March 10, 2014; and

WHEREAS, raised in Phoebus, Rufus “Rudy” Langford attended Hampton City Public Schools and graduated from the historic George P. Phenix High School; he earned an associate’s degree from Peninsula Business College and a bachelor’s degree from Strayer University; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of service to his country, Rudy Langford joined the United States Marine Corps in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, enjoying a diverse and distinguished professional career, Rudy Langford worked for what was then known as the United States General Accounting Office, the Department of Corrections, and as a clerk of Circuit Court of Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, later working as the postmaster at Hampton University, Rudy Langford was a mentor to countless students and encouraged them to make a difference in their communities; he proudly helped develop an internship program, allowing students to observe the judicial process; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1957, Rudy Langford was a prominent and courageous figure in the civil rights movement for many years, and he served as the founder of the Coalition for Justice for Civil Rights; and

WHEREAS, Rudy Langford was instrumental in founding 24 branch chapters of the coalition throughout the Commonwealth; during his tenure as president of the organization, he helped countless Virginians in thousands of civil rights cases; and

WHEREAS, a recognized activist, Rudy Langford campaigned for transparency, accountability, and justice at local and state levels; he fought passionately for fairness and equality for all people, and he leaves a legacy of excellence to future community leaders and public servants in the City of Hampton; and

WHEREAS, Rudy Langford will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Marion; daughter, Brenda, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Rufus Langford, a pillar of the Hampton community and a great Virginian; 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 Rufus Langford as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.