Bill
SJ 322
A ceremonial, nonbinding joint resolution honors Henry L. Marsh III for pioneering public service and civil rights work and presents a copy to his family.
Executive purpose:
SJ322ER is a ceremonial, nonbinding joint resolution recognizing and commemorating the life of Henry Levander Marsh III. It memorializes his contributions to the City of Richmond, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the broader civil rights movement, and expresses the General Assembly’s respect for his memory. The measure provides for an official copy to be presented to his family.
Key provisions and content:
- Recognition of life and death: The resolution notes that Henry Levander Marsh III died on January 23, 2025, and commends his long-standing public service and civil rights work.
- Biographical highlights (as presented in the measure):
- Born and raised in Richmond; education includes Maggie L. Walker High School, Virginia Union University, and a J.D. from Howard University (1959).
- Military service in the United States Army.
- Law career alongside Oliver W. Hill, Sr. and Samuel W. Tucker; partner in Hill, Tucker and Marsh; involvement in landmark civil rights cases challenging school segregation and employment discrimination.
- Public service in Richmond: City Council member (1966), Vice Mayor (1970), Mayor (1977–1982)—the first Black mayor in Richmond’s history; continued on City Council until 1991.
- State service: Member of the Senate of Virginia representing the 16th District (1991–2014).
- Post-Senate service: Commissioner of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; co-founder of the Metropolitan Economic Development Council (and what is today Venture Richmond).
- Mentorship and recognition: known for mentoring civic leaders; recipient of numerous awards; honored with the rededication of Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School and related courthouse naming in Richmond.
- Expression of respect: The General Assembly is asked to note with sadness his passing and to present a copy of the resolution to his family as an expression of respect.
- Legislative form: The measure is a joint resolution, indicating concurrence between the Senate and House.
Affected parties:
- Primary beneficiary: The Marsh family (through a formal expression of respect and presentation of the resolution).
- Institutions/communities referenced: City of Richmond, Virginia’s General Assembly, and broader Virginia civic life that benefited from Marsh’s leadership and mentorship.
- Fiscal impact: None anticipated; ceremonial resolutions do not authorize spending or policy changes.
Procedural and timeline notes:
- Introduced: January 30, 2025.
- Enrolled and agreed to by both chambers: January 30–31, 2025.
- Enrolled version (SJ322ER) reflects the text as passed by both chambers.
- Legislative actions chronology includes: laid on Clerk’s Desk, rules suspended, taken up for immediate consideration, engrossed, and final agreement by both chambers in late January 2025; bill text as passed recorded February 3, 2025.
Overall: SJ322ER serves to formally honor Henry L. Marsh III’s legacy as a pioneering public servant and civil rights advocate, with a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than substantive policy changes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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