HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 335 Offered February 16, 2006 Commending Charles Beardsley. ---------- Patrons-- May, Poisson and Rust; Senator: Herring ----------

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley of Leesburg went to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, in mid-September expecting to spend a week with his son Conor at the Loudoun Medical Group's free medical clinic, which was opened in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and

WHEREAS, the Loudoun Medical Group overwhelmingly adopted the resilient residents of Bay Saint Louis and treated more than 10,000 patients at no charge; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley remained in Bay Saint Louis to help the countless victims of Hurricane Katrina in any way he could, working alongside his wife Dr. Martha Calihan, a general practitioner with Leesburg/Sterling Family Practice in Leesburg and the medical director of the Loudoun Medical Group; and

WHEREAS, the couple worked diligently at the clinic in the old train depot that the hurricane spared, treating 60 to 70 people a day for cuts, bruises, falls, contusions, and chain-saw lacerations; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley drove to Gulfport every few days to pick up supplies and doses of tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccines for the victims; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley spent the Christmas holiday in Leesburg, but immediately returned to Bay Saint Louis on January 2, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley has become one of the most familiar faces in the coastal town of Bay Saint Louis in Hancock County, which is located approximately 65 miles east of New Orleans and took a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley refers to himself as "the old man in the red suspenders" as he orders supplies and sees to the needs and management of the clinic; he has become a community leader and a respected and effective director of the free clinic; and

WHEREAS, the clinic continues to treat the numerous Bay Saint Louis residents who cannot afford to pay for medical care since they are out of work and have no medical insurance; and the town council voted unanimously to ask the clinic to stay; and

WHEREAS, Charles Beardsley has made a difference in the lives of countless Bay Saint Louis citizens, as have all of the dedicated members of the Loudoun Medical Group, which has committed to remain and operate the free clinic until a permanent facility can be established; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles Beardsley for his outstanding service to the residents of Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles Beardsley for his commitment to his fellow Americans in need.