Bill Text: VA SJR434 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Leonard E. Phillips, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ434ER) [SJR434 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SJR434-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Leonard E. Phillips, Jr., a hardworking emergency medical professional who worked to advance the field throughout the Commonwealth, died on October 3, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Leonard "Buddy" Phillips began his career in the family business, Eastern Handle Corporation, which was later sold in the 1970s, and he began another career with medical and first aid equipment sales; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the members of the community, Buddy Phillips joined the recently organized Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1956, beginning his training with other new members who hoped to make Forest View one of the best rescue squads in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips was elected president of Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1959 and was subsequently elected four additional times; he also held additional offices of vice president, finance officer, secretary, training officer, and various other offices in the squad; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips was involved with raising funds, going door to door, working the Christmas tree lot, helping make Brunswick stew, selling fruit cakes, working bingo nights, and other projects, including teaching vehicle extrication, CPR, and first aid classes, while answering emergency calls for over 30 years; in 1977, he received life membership in the Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad; and
WHEREAS, in 1967, Buddy Phillips began another part of his rescue squad life when he was elected to the office of secretary of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS), followed by winning the District III vice presidency; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips was elected president of the VAVRS in 1970, serving two terms in that position; he also served the VAVRS as vice president, historian, convention chair, and Life Membership Committee chair, as well as, for 10 years, Convention Exhibit chair; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips received life membership in the VAVRS in 1972 and also received recognition from the American Heart Association for his devotion to teaching first aid classes and CPR classes in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips advocated for his fellow public safety professionals before the Virginia General Assembly and helped achieve the passage of legislation that exempted rescue personnel from wrongful liability while providing emergency care; he was instrumental in achieving the proclamation of Rescue Squad Week; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips shared his lifetime of expertise by working with administrators at the Medical College of Virginia to sponsor medical seminars for rescue squad personnel; and
WHEREAS, Buddy Phillips was elected to the Virginia Life Saving and Rescue Hall of Fame in 1995; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his first wife, Frances, Buddy Phillips will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Dot; his five children and three stepchildren; his 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and his numerous EMS friends, public safety officials he served with, students he taught, and patients he treated, all of whom made up his second family; 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 Leonard E. Phillips, Jr.; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Leonard E. Phillips, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
