Virginia HJR280: Celebrating the life of the Honorable Gerald Edward Connolly.

What the bill says

From the enrolled text, April 13, 2026:

2026 SESSION HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 280 Celebrating the life of the Honorable Gerald Edward Connolly. Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026 Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026 WHEREAS, the Honorable Gerald Edward Connolly, a dedicated public servant and visionary leader, died on May 21, 2025; and WHEREAS, Gerald Connolly was born in Boston, attended Maryknoll College Seminary in Illinois, and received his master of public administration degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government; and WHEREAS, Gerald Connolly moved to Washington, D.C., in 1972 with the American Freedom from Hunger Foundation, where he rose from education director to executive director while also serving as executive director of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants; and WHEREAS, Gerald Connolly served the residents of Fairfax County with extraordinary vision and compassion on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including 13 years as the Providence District supervisor and five years as chair; and WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerald Connolly fiercely advocated for those he represented, from the most vulnerable to federal workers and contractors, as well as for national and international business interests as vice-chair of the Economic Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, the naming of a cross-county trail in Fairfax County in Gerald Connolly's honor was a …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Vivian Watts (D, 14) · primary sponsor
• Briana Sewell (D, 25)
• Jessica Anderson (D, 71)
• Bonita Anthony (D, 92)
• Alex Askew (D, 95)
• Austin, Terry (R, 37)
• Ballard, Jason (R, 42)
• Robert Bloxom (R, 100)
• David Bulova (D, 11)
• Katrina Callsen (D, 54)
• Karen Carnegie (D, 89)
• Betsy Carr (D, 78)

Latest actions

1. April 13, 2026: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ280ER)
2. March 13, 2026: Agreed to by Senate
3. March 13, 2026: Laid on Clerk's Desk
4. March 13, 2026: Received
5. March 12, 2026: Agreed to by House
6. March 12, 2026: Engrossed by House
7. March 12, 2026: Taken up for immediate consideration
8. March 10, 2026: Passed by for the day until March 12, 2026
9. March 10, 2026: Engrossment reconsidered by House
10. March 10, 2026: Agreed to by House

Common questions

What is HJR280?

HJR280 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Celebrating the life of the Honorable Gerald Edward Connolly.

What is the status of HJR280?

Passed both chambers as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ280ER) (April 13, 2026).

Who sponsored HJR280?

Vivian Watts (D, 14), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HJR280?

On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJR280