Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SR4: Celebrating the life of William J. Martin.
Status: Passed both chambers, January 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, January 22, 2026:
2026 SESSION SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4 Celebrating the life of William J. Martin. 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 of the Valentine, an esteemed private museum in Richmond, died on December 28, 2025; and WHEREAS, William "Bill" 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 1994; after being named director in 1995, he worked with the board …
Sponsors
- Ghazala Hashmi (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Lashrecse Aird (D, 13)
- Jennifer Boysko (D, 38)
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (D, 33)
- Luther Cifers (R, 10)
- Craig, Christie (R, 19)
- Creigh Deeds (D, 11)
- Bill DeSteph (R, 20)
- J.D. Diggs (R, 24)
- Adam Ebbin (D, 39)
- Barbara Favola (D, 40)
- French, Timmy (R, 1)
Latest actions
- : Bill text as passed Senate (SR4ER)
- : Agreed to by Senate
- : Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- : Laid on Clerk's Desk
- : Presented 26104761D
Common questions
- What is SR4?
- SR4 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Celebrating the life of William J. Martin.
- What is the status of SR4?
- Passed both chambers as of January 22, 2026. Latest action: Bill text as passed Senate (SR4ER) (January 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored SR4?
- Ghazala Hashmi (D, 15), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SR4?
- On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SR4
Source: official Virginia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.