Bill Text: VA HJR178 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Lieutenant Colonel Gerald L. Read, USA (Ret.).
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 67-33)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-20 - Introduced bill reprinted 14100303D [HJR178 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-HJR178-Enrolled.html
|
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald L. Read, USA (Ret.), an admired military veteran and respected information assurance specialist with the Naval Sea Systems Command, died on September 16, 2013, after heroically saving the life of a coworker during the Washington Navy Yard shooting; and WHEREAS, an Eagle Scout, Gerald Read earned a bachelor's degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, joined the United States Army upon graduation, and later earned two master's degrees; and WHEREAS, a distinguished military officer, Gerald Read served in the Republic of Korea and spent most of his military career in law enforcement and information systems management, rising through the ranks to attain the rank of lieutenant colonel; and WHEREAS, Gerald Read served at Fort Belvoir during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with the U.S. Army Materiel Command to supervise work to supply United States Armed Forces overseas; and WHEREAS, after retiring from the military, Gerald Read continued to serve his country as a cybersystems expert with the Naval Sea Systems Command; and WHEREAS, on September 16, 2013, Gerald Read acted heroically to save his coworker as the shooter approached them—pushing her under a desk, barricading her in, and pulling a cubicle partition into the path of the gunman; and WHEREAS, a man of great honor and integrity, Gerald Read dedicated his life to the service of his family, community, and country—demonstrating in his final moments the strength of his character and depth of his compassion and concern for others; and WHEREAS, Gerald Read loved Civil War history; rescued Labrador retrievers with his wife, Cathy; and enjoyed walking with his black Lab, Roderick; and WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Gerald Read will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Cathy; daughter, Jessica, and her family, including three grandchildren; numerous other family members and friends; and his coworkers at the Naval Sea Systems Command; 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 a heroic Virginian, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald L. Read, USA (Ret.); 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 Lieutenant Colonel Gerald L. Read, USA (Ret.), as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |
