Bill Text: VA HJR1073 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Michele Coates.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-24 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ1073ER) [HJR1073 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2017-HJR1073-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Michele Coates, a school bus driver with Loudoun County Public Schools, put her own life at risk to ensure the safety of the 32 students on her bus in September 2016; and
WHEREAS, while driving on her usual route to Harmony Middle School in Hamilton, Michele Coates smelled smoke and immediately pulled over, believing that the bus may have been on fire; and
WHEREAS, having trained for such an emergency, Michele Coates calmly helped all of the students evacuate the bus and called emergency services to report a vehicle fire; first responders later determined that the bus was leaking fuel and smoke but had not yet caught fire; and
WHEREAS, after accounting for all of the children, Michele Coates reported that she was suffering from sinus pain and was transported by ambulance to Inova Loudoun Hospital; and
WHEREAS, again disregarding her own well-being, Michele Coates continued to ask for updates on the health of her students, even while receiving treatment for smoke inhalation; and
WHEREAS, thanks to Michele Coates' quick thinking and selfless actions, none of the students on the bus suffered serious injuries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Michele Coates for her heroic actions to help save the lives of 32 children in September 2016; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Michele Coates as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her commitment to the safety and well-being of the children in her care.
