HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 294 Offered February 9, 2006 Commending Dr. Albert Gallatin Henry III. ---------- Patron-- Shuler ----------

WHEREAS, Dr. Albert Gallatin Henry III, two other veterinarians, a licensed veterinary technician, and two veterinary assistants, along with numerous volunteers, left for New Orleans to help Hurricane Katrina animal victims on September 11, shortly after the Category 5 hurricane made landfall on August 29, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Henry graduated from Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 and practiced veterinary medicine in Northern Virginia prior to moving to Central Virginia, where he has maintained a veterinary clinic for the past 17 years; and

WHEREAS, prior to the rescue mission, Dr. Henry made a mass appeal to the public though television, newspaper, and radio urgently requesting donations of basic supplies and funds; Virginians responded and donations poured into the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and veterinary hospitals throughout the area; and

WHEREAS, basic medical and survival supplies, vaccines, food for animals and people, water, shelter equipment, crates, leashes, and bowls were transported to New Orleans by the rescue team in donated vehicles, trailers, and motor homes; and

WHEREAS, a temporary shelter named Camp Lucky was established in St. Bernard Parish, the part of New Orleans hardest hit, and when the original operation was moved to a more suitable facility it was dubbed Camp Lucky II; and

WHEREAS, the rescue team and the numerous volunteers experienced almost intolerable living conditions in Louisiana with high humidity and temperatures in the 90s, and when Hurricane Rita hit, the area received a devastating second blow; and

WHEREAS, Camp Lucky was supplied by donations from animal organizations, including PETA, North Shore, and the Humane Society of the United States, which also supplied volunteers; Dr. Henry and the Virginia rescue team helped coordinate, transport, and evacuate by air approximately 250 animals that were processed through the shelter; and

WHEREAS, after returning home, Dr. Henry stayed in contact with the shelter for more than a month as it gradually transitioned into a traditional animal shelter; and

WHEREAS, as president of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Henry has continually worked to develop a state-level organization to plan for and respond to emergency situations involving the rescue and care of animals; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Dr. Albert Gallatin Henry III for his valiant efforts on behalf of animal victims and their owners during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Albert Gallatin Henry III as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his longtime commitment to the well-being of animals.