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2021 SPECIAL SESSION I

21103307D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 712
Offered February 2, 2021
Commending the Virginia State Police.
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Patrons-- Filler-Corn, Adams, D.M., Avoli, Ayala, Bagby, Bulova, Carr, Convirs-Fowler, Fowler, Gooditis, Guy, Guzman, Hayes, Helmer, Hope, Hurst, Jenkins, Jones, Keam, Kory, Levine, Marshall, McQuinn, Mugler, Murphy, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Reid, Roem, Sickles, Simonds, Subramanyam, Sullivan, Torian, Tran, VanValkenburg, Watts and Willett; Senators: Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Howell and Spruill
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WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, members of the Virginia State Police from throughout the Commonwealth mobilized and responded to the attack on the United States Capitol Building; and

WHEREAS, prior to the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes by a joint session of the United States Congress, the Virginia State Police coordinated with other law-enforcement agencies to monitor intelligence reports and address potential threats; and

WHEREAS, on the day of the count, the Virginia State Police prepared 71 troopers from the Division 7 Fairfax office to respond to any immediate incidents in Fairfax County or Northern Virginia, while the Division 2 Culpeper office placed a quick-reaction platoon of an additional 60 troopers on call in the event of an emergency; and

WHEREAS, at approximately 2:20 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, acting on behalf of the United States Capitol Police, requested assistance, and the Virginia State Police relocated the troopers from the Fairfax office to Arlington County to await further instructions; and

WHEREAS, law-enforcement officers at the Capitol estimated that there were 75,000 attendees for the “Stop the Steal” gathering around the building, and as the count continued, members of the rally turned violent and broke through barricades, with hundreds of insurrectionists ultimately breaching doors and windows to enter the building and storm congressional offices and chambers; and

WHEREAS, after the Virginia State Police received a formal request for 200 troopers, the platoon from Fairfax deployed to the Capitol grounds, and an additional 100 troopers from the Richmond and Chesapeake divisions were activated and responded promptly with no forewarning; and

WHEREAS, the troopers from Fairfax were led through underground passageways to the lower west terrace, where rioters, many of whom were armed, were attempting to breach the doors to the Capitol Building; and

WHEREAS, members of the Virginia State Police, the United States Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department courageously engaged the rioters, clearing the first level of the inauguration stage in the face of extreme violence and aggression; and

WHEREAS, members of the Virginia State Police and the other law-enforcement agencies maintained the initiative and pushed the rioters down to the second level of the inauguration stage and away from the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, after the engagement, the Virginia State Police established a defensive perimeter at the west entrance to the Capitol Building; no Virginia state troopers were injured while retaking the building; and

WHEREAS, executive and command staff of the Virginia State Police established an incident command center at the Area 45 Arlington office, and troopers from the Counties of Appomattox, Chesapeake, Culpeper, and Fairfax and the Cities of Richmond and Salem helped provide 24-hour security until January 8, 2021, when complete control of the Capitol grounds was restored; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Police ably served the nation and responded to an extraordinary situation with the utmost distinction, demonstrating courage, composure, fortitude, and a strong commitment to safeguarding the founding ideals and institutions of the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia State Police for its performance above and beyond its duties during the attack on the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia State Police as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its professionalism during this unprecedented incident.