Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HJR52: Celebrating the life of William J. Martin.
Status: Passed both chambers, April 1, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, April 1, 2026:
2026 SESSION HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 52 Celebrating the life of William J. Martin. Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 15, 2026 Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2026 WHEREAS, William J. Martin, a passionate historian who helped countless individuals engage with the Commonwealth's past through his visionary leadership as the longtime director at the Valentine, an esteemed private museum in Richmond, died on December 28, 2025; and WHEREAS, William "Bill" J. Martin grew up in the Brandy Station community of Culpeper County and began to cultivate a love of history and storytelling from a young age; he spent much of his youth searching for Civil War artifacts in the area and made frequent trips to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., with his family; and WHEREAS, after receiving a bachelor's degree in urban studies and a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bill Martin moved to Georgia to oversee the Okefenokee Heritage Center, then worked for a museum in Jacksonville, Florida; and WHEREAS, in 1986, Bill Martin returned to the Commonwealth, where he led efforts to revitalize Petersburg through Petersburg Main Street and Petersburg Downtown, Inc., and later became the city's director of tourism; and WHEREAS, Bill Martin subsequently joined the Valentine as director of marketing and public affairs in …
Sponsors
- Rae Cousins (D, 79) · primary sponsor
- Betsy Carr (D, 78)
- Delores McQuinn (D, 81)
- Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D, 39)
- Katrina Callsen (D, 54)
- Karen Carnegie (D, 89)
- Laura Jane Cohen (D, 15)
- Joshua Cole (D, 65)
- Lindsey Dougherty (D, 75)
- Michael Feggans (D, 97)
- Dan Helmer (D, 10)
- Rozia Henson (D, 19)
Latest actions
- : Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ52ER)
- : Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- : Laid on Clerk's Desk
- : Received
- : Agreed to by House
- : Engrossed by House
- : Taken up for immediate consideration
- : Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26104748D
Common questions
- What is HJR52?
- HJR52 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Celebrating the life of William J. Martin.
- What is the status of HJR52?
- Passed both chambers as of April 1, 2026. Latest action: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ52ER) (April 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HJR52?
- Rae Cousins (D, 79), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HJR52?
- On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJR52
Source: official Virginia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.