SJ343: Celebrating the life of Elmore Houston Pierce.
WHEREAS, Elmore Houston Pierce, a groundbreaking World War II veteran and Covington City Council member, died on September 5, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce was born in Covington, the son of Charles Pierce, Sr., and Rosa Moss Pierce, and grew up in a large household alongside his four brothers and two sisters; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce attended Covington School until the 10th grade and completed his high school education in Fredericksburg; and
WHEREAS, while still a student, Elmore Pierce worked for the clubhouse of Westvaco; after graduating from high school and in the midst of the Great Depression, he began working at Westvaco Mill in Covington; and
WHEREAS, as the nation entered World War II, Elmore Pierce desired to serve his country and joined the other young men of his generation in the war effort as a member of the United States Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, part of the historic 52nd Battalion composed of black Marines, Elmore Pierce was deployed to the Central Pacific during World War II and earned a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for his distinguished service to this country; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Elmore Pierce returned to Covington, raising his family and working as a dedicated employee at Westvaco Mill until his retirement in 1978 after 49 years of faithful service; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Elmore Pierce became the first black member of the Covington City Council, representing District 3; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce worked alongside city officials, other members of the council, and the residents of Covington to ensure the efficient and effective operation of local government and services during his four-year term; and
WHEREAS, a true patriot and a man of great spirit and determination, Elmore Pierce lived a long and full life marked by service to his family, community, and country; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Edna, Elmore Pierce will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Constance and Roland, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished veteran and respected citizen of the Commonwealth, Elmore Houston Pierce; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Elmore Houston Pierce as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 343
WHEREAS, Elmore Houston Pierce, a groundbreaking World War II veteran and Covington City Council member, died on September 5, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce was born in Covington, the son of Charles Pierce, Sr., and Rosa Moss Pierce, and grew up in a large household alongside his four brothers and two sisters; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce attended Covington School until the 10th grade and completed his high school education in Fredericksburg; and
WHEREAS, while still a student, Elmore Pierce worked for the clubhouse of Westvaco; after graduating from high school and in the midst of the Great Depression, he began working at Westvaco Mill in Covington; and
WHEREAS, as the nation entered World War II, Elmore Pierce desired to serve his country and joined the other young men of his generation in the war effort as a member of the United States Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, part of the historic 52nd Battalion composed of black Marines, Elmore Pierce was deployed to the Central Pacific during World War II and earned a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for his distinguished service to this country; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Elmore Pierce returned to Covington, raising his family and working as a dedicated employee at Westvaco Mill until his retirement in 1978 after 49 years of faithful service; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Elmore Pierce became the first black member of the Covington City Council, representing District 3; and
WHEREAS, Elmore Pierce worked alongside city officials, other members of the council, and the residents of Covington to ensure the efficient and effective operation of local government and services during his four-year term; and
WHEREAS, a true patriot and a man of great spirit and determination, Elmore Pierce lived a long and full life marked by service to his family, community, and country; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Edna, Elmore Pierce will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Constance and Roland, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a distinguished veteran and respected citizen of the Commonwealth, Elmore Houston Pierce; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Elmore Houston Pierce as an expression of the General Assemblys respect for his memory.