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1999 SESSION

996249724
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 538
Offered February 15, 1999
Commending Virginia Power.
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Patrons-- Potts, Barry, Bolling, Chichester, Colgan, Couric, Edwards, Forbes, Gartlan, Hanger, Hawkins, Holland, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, Marye, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Mims, Newman, Norment, Puckett, Quayle, Reynolds, Saslaw, Schrock, Stolle, Ticer, Trumbo, Walker, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple, Williams and Woods
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WHEREAS, the summer of 1998 and the winter of 1998-1999 have proved harsh for much of the eastern United States, with an active hurricane season and ice and snow storms causing property damage and personal hardship for citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, on three occasions, Virginia Power has been called on to respond to weather-caused emergencies: in southeastern Virginia during the summer of 1998, when Hurricane Bonnie devastated the east coast; in central Virginia in December of 1998, when a destructive ice storm hit; and in Northern Virginia in January of 1999, when another ice storm occurred; and

WHEREAS, hurricane-force winds uprooted trees and downed power lines during the summer, and trees toppled and collapsed under the weight of ice during the winter, creating emergencies and widespread power loss; and

WHEREAS, the effect of the storms left some 460,000 Virginia Power customers in the dark during Hurricane Bonnie and about 615,0000 customers without electricity during the December-January ice storms; and

WHEREAS, 258 outside forces came to help during Hurricane Bonnie, and some 1,453 outside line forces, including crews from American Electric Power Company, Alleghany Power Systems, Virginia’s Electric Cooperatives, and 370 mutual aid utility forces, helped during the December-January ice storms; and

WHEREAS, often working 16-hour shifts in extreme heat during Hurricane Bonnie and in freezing conditions during the ice storms, Virginia Power employees and outside forces spent as many as 12 days away from their homes and families to help restore power to the residents of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, often working in extreme heat, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, these Virginia Power employees won the admiration, respect, and gratitude of electricity customers for their steadfastness and professionalism; and

WHEREAS, the quick response of Virginia Power to devastated areas of the Commonwealth is an indication of the utility’s emphasis on customer service and the dedication, skill, and perseverance of its employees; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Virginia Power and its many fine employees for providing critical assistance to the citizens of the Commonwealth and for their determination and perseverance under the most trying of conditions to restore power to their customers in the most efficient and effective manner possible; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Virginia Power as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the company’s public spirit and its employees’ singular generosity.