| 11 | | - | Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2025 |
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| 14 | + | |
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| 15 | + | PatronsLopez, Bennett-Parker, Clark, Cole, Cordoza, Green, Herring, Hope, Keys-Gamarra, Maldonado, Martinez, McQuinn, Rasoul, Ware and Watts; Senators: Diggs, Ebbin, Salim and Williams Graves |
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| 12 | 16 | | |
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| 13 | 17 | | |
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| 14 | 18 | | |
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| 15 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Felipe Hernandez, Jr., a distinguished firefighter and community leader, was appointed fire and emergency services chief of the City of Alexandria in 2024, making history as the first Latino to serve permanently in that position; and |
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| 16 | 20 | | |
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| 17 | 21 | | WHEREAS, Felipe Hernandez began his career in the fire service in Rochester, New York, where he rose through the ranks over a period of more than 25 years to assume leadership positions in the department's administrative, operations, training, and emergency management divisions, while also continuously supporting recruitment, volunteer assistance, and professional development; and |
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| 18 | 22 | | |
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| 19 | 23 | | WHEREAS, Felipe Hernandez culminated his career with the City of Rochester in the role of fire chief, overseeing an agency of 482 sworn and 24 civilian personnel, and from 2023 until joining the City of Alexandria, he served as superintendent of the New York State Academy of Fire Science; and |
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| 20 | 24 | | |
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| 21 | 25 | | WHEREAS, in addition to a master's degree in leadership from Nazareth College and a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from State University of New York, Brockport, Felipe Hernandez has earned a Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing and several certifications in the areas of emergency medicine, fire officer instruction, health, and incident safety; and |
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| 22 | 26 | | |
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| 23 | 27 | | WHEREAS, following an extensive and nationally competitive recruitment process, the City of Alexandria cited Felipe Hernandez's experience, technical competence, and modern, data-driven approach to public safety in choosing him to lead its fire and emergency services; and |
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| 24 | 28 | | |
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| 25 | 29 | | WHEREAS, in his role as fire and emergency services chief, Felipe Hernandez aims to cultivate meaningful partnerships throughout the community to enhance the Alexandria Fire Department's ability to fulfill its mission; and |
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| 26 | 30 | | |
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| 27 | 31 | | WHEREAS, with extraordinary professionalism, dedication, and concern for the well-being of others, Felipe Hernandez is poised to make a profound and lasting impact on the Alexandria community; 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 Felipe Hernandez, Jr., for being named fire and emergency services chief of the City of Alexandria; 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 Felipe Hernandez, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to Alexandria and the Commonwealth. |
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