HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 670 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 9, 2007 Commending the Reverend Henry Victor Langford. ---------- Patron-- Hall ----------

WHEREAS, the Reverend Henry Victor Langford of Richmond is recognized for his longtime service to the cause of justice and equality for all citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, an esteemed 88-year-old retired Baptist minister and current resident of Hermitage United Methodist Home, Henry Langford has lived an exemplary life of courage and conviction; and

WHEREAS, Henry Langford served his country during World War II as a chaplain with the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Henry Langford served congregations in Louisa and Pittsylvania counties and retired as pastor of the former Confederate Heights Baptist Church in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, during Massive Resistance, which took place in Virginia and many other states, Henry Langford spoke out to anyone who would listen, passionately supporting school desegregation; and

WHEREAS, a herald in the fight against discrimination, Henry Langford wrote an articulate and outspoken article for the Chatham's Star-Tribune in support of the United States Supreme Court's ruling that public school segregation was unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, as a result of his endorsement of the Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education, Henry Langford was forced to resign as minister of his Shockoe Baptist Church in Chatham, Pittsylvania County; and

WHEREAS, at the time viewed as an outcast by his community and his peers, Henry Langford found it impossible to find another congregation to serve; and

WHEREAS, Henry Langford fortunately found his calling with the Alcohol and Drug Education Virginia Council of Churches, where he faithfully served people in need for 21 years, eight as associate director and 13 as executive director; and

WHEREAS, after a distinguished, but often turbulent life of service, Henry Langford and his wife, Florence, founded a tree farm on 800 acres of undeveloped mountain land and became devoted conservationists; and in 1978, President Jimmy Carter recognized the couple as the nation's top tree farmers; and

WHEREAS, in October 2006, recognizing the struggle and sacrifice that other preachers may face in the course of their ministry, the Langfords generously contributed to the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond to help create two apartments as part of the church's Sabbatical Leave Program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Reverend Henry Victor Langford for his courage and continuing advocacy for others; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Henry Victor Langford as an expression of the appreciation of the General Assembly for his commitment to justice and equality for all citizens of the Commonwealth.