WHEREAS, Samuel H. Blackburn, who ably served the Town of Glasgow as mayor for more than four decades, died on July 31, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Greenlee, Samuel "Sam" Blackburn was a loyal employee of the Lees Carpet division of Burlington Industries for 46 years, retiring as an engineering technician; and

WHEREAS, seeking to enhance the quality of life of his fellow Glasgow residents, Sam Blackburn ran for and was elected to the Glasgow Town Council in 1965; he was appointed mayor in 1981 and served in that capacity until 2013; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as mayor, Sam Blackburn oversaw the completion of a new library and a renovation of the town's water system; he also guided the town through flood disasters in 1969, 1972, and 1985, and he wisely established a flood mitigation project to safeguard the community from future disasters; and

WHEREAS, Sam Blackburn later joined the steering committee of Shenandoah Valley Project Impact, the region's disaster preparedness and education program, sharing his experience to ensure that other communities in the region were prepared and protected; and

WHEREAS, Sam Blackburn helped create the Central Shenandoah Valley Regional All Hazards Mitigation Plan and offered his expertise to the Rockbridge County Industrial Development Authority, the Rockbridge County Building Code Board of Appeals, and the Rockbridge County Regional Jail Commission; he was also a life member of the Glasgow Lifesaving and First Aid Crew; and

WHEREAS, a man who lived his faith through his actions, Sam Blackburn enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of Glasgow Baptist Church, where he held several leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Helen, Sam Blackburn will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Sandra, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Samuel H. Blackburn, a trusted public servant in Glasgow; 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 Samuel H. Blackburn as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.