| 12 | 16 | | |
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| 13 | 17 | | |
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| 14 | 18 | | |
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| 15 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Melvin Carter, a distinguished firefighter and chief of fire and emergency services for the City of Richmond for the past seven years, retired on December 31, 2024; and |
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| 16 | 20 | | |
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| 17 | 21 | | WHEREAS, Melvin Carter began his career in the fire service in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter for the Henrico County Division of Fire, then he briefly worked as a professional firefighter in Petersburg before joining the Richmond Fire Department in 1987; and |
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| 18 | 22 | | |
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| 19 | 23 | | WHEREAS, as a result of his work ethic and leadership, Melvin Carter rose through the ranks, serving as company lieutenant, captain, deputy fire marshal, and battalion chief before he was appointed deputy fire chief in 2009; and |
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| 20 | 24 | | |
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| 21 | 25 | | WHEREAS, in 2017, Melvin Carter was appointed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney to serve as the City of Richmond's chief of fire and emergency services, becoming the 21st chief in the department's history and its third Black chief; and |
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| 22 | 26 | | |
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| 23 | 27 | | WHEREAS, Melvin Carter oversaw a period of significant growth for the Richmond Fire Department, as the department created 72 new positions with the support of a $13 million federal grant; and |
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| 24 | 28 | | |
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| 25 | 29 | | WHEREAS, in recognition of his efforts to modernize and update the City of Richmond's fire equipment and stations, Melvin Carter was named Virginia Fire Chief of the Year in 2023 by Governor Glenn Youngkin; and |
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| 26 | 30 | | |
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| 27 | 31 | | WHEREAS, with an unwavering commitment to the safety and security of the community he served, Melvin Carter made a positive and lasting impact on the City of Richmond and is deserving of the esteem and respect of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it |
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| 28 | 32 | | |
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| 29 | 33 | | RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Melvin Carter for his legacy of service on the occasion of his retirement; and, be it |
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| 30 | 34 | | |
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| 31 | 35 | | RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Melvin Carter as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to Richmond and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a rewarding and fulfilling retirement. |
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