Celebrating the life of Master Technician Raul Perla.
Summary
House Resolution 456 is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and public service of Master Technician Raul Perla, a longtime Fairfax County firefighter and urban search and rescue specialist. The resolution recounts his nearly three decades with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, his service in the U.S. Navy Seabees, and his extensive work with Virginia Task Force 1 and other disaster response teams around the world. It highlights his mentorship, dedication to public safety, and death from occupational cancer.
The resolution does not create or amend state law, impose requirements, or appropriate funds. Its practical effect is ceremonial: it formally expresses the House of Delegates’ condolences and respect, and directs the Clerk to provide a copy to his family as a tribute. Because it is a House resolution, its impact is limited to recognition and remembrance rather than legal change.
Impact
HR456 has no direct effect on Virginia statutes, regulations, or agency operations. It is a nonbinding House resolution that serves as an official expression of sympathy and appreciation for a deceased public safety officer, and it authorizes the Clerk of the House to present a copy to his family. The bill affects no regulated parties and does not alter legal rights or duties.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding the resolution is uniformly respectful and mournful. The text itself is highly laudatory, emphasizing Raul Perla’s bravery, leadership, mentorship, and global disaster-response service, and the available context shows no recorded opposition, committee controversy, or dissenting votes. The measure appears to have been treated as a straightforward tribute to a widely admired first responder.
Contention
There is no notable policy contention in the bill or the available legislative history. As a memorial resolution, it does not present substantive disagreements over law or spending. Any discussion would likely center on honoring Raul Perla’s service and acknowledging occupational cancer as the cause of death, but no opposing viewpoints, amendments, or recorded votes are provided.