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HJ 564

Celebrating the life of the Honorable Henry Levander Marsh, III.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 137 co-sponsors

A ceremonial memorial honoring Henry L. Marsh III for civil rights leadership, Richmond mayor and Virginia senator, recognizing his service and presenting a copy to his family.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ564ER)
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Bill Summary · HJ 564

Summary: House Joint Resolution No. 564 (HJ564ER)

Overview and Purpose

  • HJ564ER is a ceremonial memorial jointly adopted by the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of the Honorable Henry Levander Marsh III.
  • The resolution expresses mourning at Marsh’s passing (January 23, 2025) and recognizes his significant impact on Richmond, the Commonwealth, and civil rights advocacy.
  • Purpose: Provide formal recognition and tribute from the General Assembly, and present a copy of the resolution to Marsh’s family.

Key Provisions and Content

  • Biographical Recitation: The resolution provides a detailed account of Marsh’s life, including:
    • Education: Maggie L. Walker High School; Virginia Union University; J.D. from Howard University (1959).
    • Military Service: United States Army.
    • Legal Career: Early practice with Oliver W. Hill, Sr. and Samuel W. Tucker; partner in Hill, Tucker and Marsh; involvement in landmark civil rights litigation challenging school segregation and employment discrimination.
    • Public Service: Richmond City Council (elected 1966); Vice Mayor (1970); Mayor (1977–1982), becoming Richmond’s first Black mayor; continued on City Council through 1991.
    • State Government: Member of the Senate of Virginia representing the 16th Senate District (1991–2014), with district boundaries including Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, parts of Chesterfield County, Prince George County, and Richmond.
    • Later Roles: Commissioner of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe) after retiring from the Senate in 2014.
    • Civic Development: Co-founder of the Metropolitan Economic Development Council and what is today Venture Richmond.
    • Mentorship and Recognition: Noted for mentoring current and former leaders; recent honors including rededication of the Henry L. Marsh III Elementary School and the Henry L. Marsh III and Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Manchester Courthouse.
  • Expressions of Respect: The resolution states the General Assembly’s sadness at his loss and affirms the values of advocacy and public service that his career exemplified.
  • Presentation to Family: Directs the Clerk of the House of Delegates to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Marsh’s family.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Marsh Family and Estate: Direct recipients of the memorial tribute.
  • Virginia’s Civic and Legal Community: Recognizes Marsh’s contributions to civil rights law, Richmond municipal leadership, and state-level public service.
  • General Public: Serves as a public acknowledgment of Marsh’s impact on the Commonwealth’s history and governance.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025 (Presented and laid on Speaker’s table; bill number 25106198D).
  • Engrossed by House: February 3, 2025; agreed to by House on the same day.
  • Senate Action: Agreed to by Senate on February 6, 2025.
  • Enrolled: February 2025.
  • Final enrolled status: HJ564ER (Bill text as passed by both chambers) dated March 20, 2025.
  • Nature of measure: Purely ceremonial; no fiscal impact or substantive policy changes.

Bottom Line

HJ564ER is a commemorative resolution honoring Henry L. Marsh III’s life and enduring legacy as a civil rights attorney, Richmond mayor, Virginia state senator, and civic leader. It reflects the Commonwealth’s respect for his contributions and directs formal acknowledgment to his family.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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