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2018 SESSION

18104389D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 209
Offered February 5, 2018
Celebrating the life of James Howell Hardy III.
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Patrons-- Morefield; Senators: Carrico and Chafin
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WHEREAS, James Howell Hardy III, a respected first responder who spent over 20 years as chief of the Bluefield Virginia Fire Department, died on December 31, 2017; and

WHEREAS, born in Bluefield, West Virginia, James “Jim” Howell Hardy III began his service to Bluefield, Virginia, at age 15, when he joined the Bluefield Virginia Fire Department as a volunteer; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hardy held a variety of positions during his more than 65-year tenure with the Bluefield Virginia Fire Department, including assistant chief; he was appointed fire chief on August 1, 1994, and remained in the role for the rest of his life; and

WHEREAS, a natural leader known for his skill at training new firefighters, Jim Hardy oversaw a team of approximately 20 volunteer firefighters who provided emergency response services to the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and

WHEREAS, among many other accomplishments during his time as fire chief, Jim Hardy managed the design and construction of the Bluefield Virginia Fire Department’s new fire station and oversaw the introduction of the first ladder tower fire truck in Bluefield’s history; and

WHEREAS, a longtime employee of Rockwell Industries, Jim Hardy also served on the Tazewell County Emergency Services Committee; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hardy’s exemplary devotion to the safety of the citizens of Bluefield won him the abiding respect, admiration, and affection of the people he so ably served; and

WHEREAS, Jim Hardy will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by many family members, friends, fellow firefighters, and Bluefield residents; 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 James Howell Hardy III, a dedicated citizen who served the Bluefield community as its fire chief; 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 James Howell Hardy III as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.