Bill Text: VA SJR5026 | 2014 | 1st Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Rufus Langford.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-06-12 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ5026ER) [SJR5026 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-SJR5026-Enrolled.html
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 the 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 Senate, the House of Delegates 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 Senate 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. |