Bill Text: VA HJR389 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Virginia House Joint Resolution 389 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Specialist Christopher James Coffland.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-12 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ389ER) [HJR389 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2010-HJR389-Introduced.html

10105681D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 389 Offered March 4, 2010 Celebrating the life of Specialist Christopher James Coffland. ---------- Patron-- Cline ----------

WHEREAS, United States Army Specialist Christopher James Coffland, a graduate of Washington and Lee University, was killed in the line of duty on November 13, 2009, while valiantly serving his country in the Wardak province of Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the Gilman School in Baltimore, Christopher "Chris" Coffland attended Washington and Lee University, where he was known for his athletic prowess and served as captain of the football and lacrosse teams; and

WHEREAS, a sports enthusiast, Chris Coffland went on to play professional football in Finland; he then coached football in Australia and lacrosse at the Boys' Latin School of Maryland, where he was respected and admired for his motivational leadership; and

WHEREAS, after several years of successful coaching, Chris Coffland desired to continue to encourage young people and worked as a university counselor at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, intrigued by human nature and different cultures, Chris Coffland studied anthropology at Washington State University and as part of his studies lived with Pygmy people in Gabon; and

WHEREAS, desirous to serve his country, Chris Coffland found that his varied life experiences and interests in different cultures were a good fit with the Unites States Army as a military intelligence officer; and

WHEREAS, Chris Coffland joined the U.S. Army Reserves one month before his 42nd birthday, the enlistment age cut-off; he was trained as an intelligence officer and assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Coffland arrived in Afghanistan two weeks before he was killed and met with local tribal leaders in an effort to win their trust; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Coffland was killed, along with two other soldiers, by an improvised explosive device (IED) as they were on their way to investigate another IED explosion; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated and brave soldier, Specialist Coffland was honored with seven medals, including two Bronze Stars for bravery and a Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man of great integrity who was a loyal friend, Specialist Coffland will be greatly missed by his parents, David and Antoinette Coffland; his siblings, Lynn, Karen, David, and Laurie; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Coffland's death is a reminder of the perils faced daily by the thousands of Americans who serve in our armed forces overseas and whose devotion to duty places them in harm's way; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a courageous and patriotic Virginian, Specialist Christopher James Coffland; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Specialist Christopher James Coffland as an expression of the high regard in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly and the citizens of Virginia.