Bill Text: VA SJR447 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Robert Ewing Litton II.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-04-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ447ER) [SJR447 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SJR447-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Robert Ewing Litton II, a longtime resident of the Commonwealth and a respected leader in the coal mining industry, died on August 3, 2018; and
WHEREAS, a native of Pennington Gap, Robert Litton grew up in Jonesville, where he graduated from Jonesville High School in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Robert Litton began his long career in coal mining at Shackleford Coal Company, then worked for Westmoreland Coal Company for 19 years, followed by El Paso Energy and Progress Energy in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Robert Litton returned to the Commonwealth to join United Coal Company and offered his expertise to the Virginia Coal Association (VCA); he was chair of the VCA when it merged with two other organizations to become the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance and later served as the association's secretary and treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Robert Litton was committed to mine safety throughout his career and was active in mine rescue competitions; one of his proudest accomplishments was in 2017, when his team won the National Coal Mine Rescue Contest; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement in 2016, Robert Litton and his wife, Janice, moved to Savannah, Georgia, and enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Christ Baptist Church in Ellabell, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Robert Litton died from glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and donated his body to science, hoping to save the lives of others through the discovery of a cure; and
WHEREAS, Robert Litton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Janice; his daughter, Samantha, and her family; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow miners; 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 Robert Ewing Litton II; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert Ewing Litton II as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.