Bill Text: VA HJR217 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Ben Pope Phillips.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-02-03 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ217ER) [HJR217 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2012-HJR217-Enrolled.html

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 217
Celebrating the life of Ben Pope Phillips.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 27, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, February 2, 2012

WHEREAS, Ben Pope Phillips, a devoted husband and father, veteran, and proud supporter of the City of Martinsville, died on November 4, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Ben Phillips served in the United States Army in World War II, with tours in France, Germany, and Italy; after the war he worked for DuPont as a design draftsman, retiring in 1984 after more than 30 years of service; and

WHEREAS, as an active member of the Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad, Ben Phillips worked to improve the rescue squad's response abilities, and to meet that goal, he built the squad's first crash rescue vehicle from a bread truck; he also was one of the area's first emergency medical technicians; and

WHEREAS, Ben Phillips shared his talents in many areas; he was a past president of the Clearview Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, and he volunteered with the Martinsville-Henry County Christmas Parade Association and at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County; and

WHEREAS, for many years Ben Phillips was a strong supporter of the Christmas Cheer organization, and in December 2011, an annual motorcycle and automobile holiday toy run, which raises funds for Christmas Cheer, was dedicated to his memory; and

WHEREAS, as a member of Fieldale United Methodist Church, Ben Phillips enjoyed worship and fellowship with fellow members of the congregation; he was a former member of the Knights of Pythias and a Past Chancellor of Patrick Henry Lodge No. 82; and

WHEREAS, Ben Phillips and his wife were honored as Citizens of the Year in 2002 by the City of Martinsville in recognition of their many contributions to the town, its charitable organizations, and its residents; and

WHEREAS, Ben Phillips, who was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Elizabeth Lacy Phillips, is dearly remembered by his children, Margaret, Joey, Andy, and John, and their families; and many other family members and friends; 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 loving husband, father, and a true pillar of Martinsville, Ben Pope Phillips; 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 Ben Pope Phillips as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.

feedback