HJ5118: Celebrating the life of Rufus Langford.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5118
Celebrating the life of Rufus Langford.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 12, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, June 12, 2014

 

WHEREAS, Rufus Langford, a tireless advocate for civil rights, bold voice for transparency and justice, and proud citizen of the City of Hampton, died on March 10, 2014; and

WHEREAS, raised in Phoebus, Rufus “Rudy” Langford attended Hampton City Public Schools and graduated from the historic George P. Phenix High School; he earned an associate’s degree from Peninsula Business College and a bachelor’s degree from Strayer University; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of service to his country, Rudy Langford joined the United States Marine Corps in the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, enjoying a diverse and distinguished professional career, Rudy Langford worked for what was then known as the United States General Accounting Office, the Department of Corrections, and as a clerk of Circuit Court of Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, later working as the postmaster at Hampton University, Rudy Langford was a mentor to countless students and encouraged them to make a difference in their communities; he proudly helped develop an internship program, allowing students to observe the judicial process; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1957, Rudy Langford was a prominent and courageous figure in the civil rights movement for many years, and he served as the founder of the Coalition for Justice for Civil Rights; and

WHEREAS, Rudy Langford was instrumental in founding 24 branch chapters of the coalition throughout the Commonwealth; during his tenure as president of the organization, he helped countless Virginians in thousands of civil rights cases; and

WHEREAS, a recognized activist, Rudy Langford campaigned for transparency, accountability, and justice at local and state levels; he fought passionately for fairness and equality for all people, and he leaves a legacy of excellence to future community leaders and public servants in the City of Hampton; and

WHEREAS, Rudy Langford will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Marion; daughter, Brenda, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Rufus Langford, a pillar of the Hampton community and a great Virginian; 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 Rufus Langford as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5118

Offered June 12, 2014

Patron-- Ward