Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HR373: Commending the Richmond Free Press.
Status: Passed both chambers, April 24, 2026
Commending the Richmond Free Press .
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, April 24, 2026:
2026 SESSION HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 373 Commending the Richmond Free Press. Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 11, 2026 WHEREAS, the Richmond Free Press, a beloved and influential weekly newspaper with a mission to empower the Black community in Richmond by serving as a voice and platform for underserved perspectives, published its final edition in February 2026, concluding a distinguished 34-year print run; and WHEREAS, after several years in the newspaper industry and as a professor at Howard University, veteran journalist Raymond H. Boone, Sr., returned to Richmond in 1991 and set out to create a newspaper that would encourage free expression about public policy and inspire readers to become more active in civic life; and WHEREAS, serving as the paper's editor and publisher, Raymond Boone published the first edition of the Richmond Free Press on January 16, 1992, then led the paper until his death in 2014, at which point his wife, Jean Patterson Boone, took over as publisher; and WHEREAS, in pursuit of its mission, the Richmond Free Press asked local leaders tough questions as it delved into serious matters affecting the community, including economic inequality, workplace discrimination, and criminal justice reform; and WHEREAS, the Richmond Free Press flourished over the years and grew to have a readership of 135,000 and a circulation of more than …
Sponsors
- Delores McQuinn (D, 81) · primary sponsor
- Betsy Carr (D, 78)
- Nicole Cole (D, 66)
- Rae Cousins (D, 79)
- Lindsey Dougherty (D, 75)
- Debra Gardner (D, 76)
- Jackie Glass (D, 93)
- Karen Keys-Gamarra (D, 7)
- Destiny LeVere Bolling (D, 80)
- Adele McClure (D, 2)
- Kirk McPike (D, 5)
- Leslie Mehta (D, 73)
Latest actions
- : Bill text as passed House (HR373ER)
- : Agreed to by House by voice vote
- : Engrossed by House
- : Taken up for immediate consideration
- : Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26107918D
Common questions
- What is HR373?
- HR373 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Commending the Richmond Free Press.
- What does HR373 do?
- Commending the Richmond Free Press .
- What is the status of HR373?
- Passed both chambers as of April 24, 2026. Latest action: Bill text as passed House (HR373ER) (April 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR373?
- Delores McQuinn (D, 81), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HR373?
- On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HR373
Source: official Virginia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.