Bill Text: VA HJR277 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Kevin Lunsmann.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2012-02-03 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ277ER) [HJR277 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-HJR277-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Kevin Lunsmann, a remarkable young man from Campbell County, has returned safely to his family after being held as a hostage for five months in the Philippines; and WHEREAS, Kevin Lunsmann, who had been scheduled to start Brookville High School as a freshman in the fall of 2011, and his mother were visiting family in July on an island near Zamboanga City in the Philippines when he and his mother, along with a local cousin, were kidnapped; and WHEREAS, the kidnappers, believed to be part of Abu Sayyaf, an al-Qaida-linked Islamic militant group notorious for beheading their hostages, held Kevin Lunsmann's mother until her release in October, while his cousin escaped from the group in November; and WHEREAS, family members, friends, and the school and local community were shocked to learn that Kevin Lunsmann and his mother had been kidnapped and prayed for their safe return; and WHEREAS, Kevin Lunsmann's family in Campbell County underwent a harrowing ordeal as the kidnappers contacted them to demand a large ransom for his return; and WHEREAS, during his five-month captivity, Kevin Lunsmann carefully observed his captors and surroundings while formulating a plan to escape and return to his family; and WHEREAS, at an opportune moment, Kevin Lunsmann eluded the people guarding him and followed a river down a mountain, spending two days in the jungle before being found by friendly jungle villagers; and WHEREAS, during his two-day trek to freedom, Kevin Lunsmann walked through heavy mud, streams, and mountainous terrain wearing only tsinelas (flip flops) until he found a pair of shoes in an abandoned hut; and WHEREAS, Kevin Lunsmann maintained his energy by eating the flesh of coconuts that had fallen on the ground and climbed banana trees to find food to eat; and WHEREAS, a remarkably courageous and resourceful young man, Kevin Lunsmann demonstrated great fortitude, ingenuity, and determination when faced with an extraordinary situation in a foreign country; and WHEREAS, now safely back in Virginia, Kevin Lunsmann has started his studies at Brookville High School and looks forward to spending time with his family and friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend a courageous young Virginian, Kevin Lunsmann; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kevin Lunsmann as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration and respect for his strong spirit. |
