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HJ 537

Commending Elizabeth S. Kostelny.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lamont Bagby and 12 co-sponsors

The bill ceremonially commends Elizabeth S. Kostelny for her leadership in Virginia’s historic preservation and retirement, with no policy or fiscal changes.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ537ER)
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Bill Summary · HJ 537

Summary: House Joint Resolution 537 (HJ537ER) – Commending Elizabeth S. Kostelny

Purpose and scope

  • HJ537ER is a commemorative, non-binding resolution that formally commends Elizabeth S. Kostelny, chief executive officer of Preservation Virginia, on the occasion of her retirement in 2024.
  • The resolution recognizes her leadership and career in historic preservation in Virginia, and expresses admiration and best wishes for a rewarding retirement.
  • No new law, policy, or financial obligation is created. The measure is ceremonial and ceremonial-only in nature.

Key provisions

  • The General Assembly “hereby commends” Elizabeth S. Kostelny for her more than 30 years of service and retirement.
  • The Clerk of the House of Delegates is instructed to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Kostelny, as a formal expression of the Assembly’s appreciation.
  • The text highlights Kostelny’s role as the first woman to serve as Preservation Virginia’s CEO, the merger of Preservation Virginia with the Preservation Alliance of Virginia, and her efforts to expand community engagement, advocacy, and preservation policy work.
  • The resolution attributes notable achievements to Kostelny, including:
    • Leading Preservation Virginia through merger-related transitions and expanding organizational capacity.
    • Launching community engagement and advocacy divisions to support local preservation work and government policy.
    • Representing Virginia to dignitaries (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II and President George W. Bush during Jamestown’s 400th anniversary in 2007).
    • Oversight of Vision 2020 Comprehensive Campaign, which exceeded its goal by 33%, enabling staff hires and priorities such as a survey and online database of nearly 400 African American school sites.
  • The resolution also notes Kostelny’s longstanding influence before the U.S. Congress and the Virginia General Assembly in shaping preservation policy and funding.

Who is affected

  • Elizabeth S. Kostelny, the honoree.
  • Preservation Virginia and its broader mission in Virginia’s historic preservation landscape.
  • The General Assembly and the Clerk of the House, which are responsible for authenticating and presenting the resolution.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: January 23, 2025.
  • Engrossed by the House: February 3, 2025.
  • Agreed to by the House (voice vote): February 3, 2025.
  • Agreed to by the Senate (voice vote): February 6, 2025.
  • Received and laid on Clerk’s Desk: February 4, 2025.
  • Enrolled: February 2025 (HJ537ER).
  • The enrolled text is substantively identical to the introduced version, reflecting the ceremonial nature of the bill.

Bottom-line impact

  • HJ537ER provides formal legislative recognition of Kostelny’s leadership and retirement.
  • It serves to highlight Virginia’s historic preservation efforts and Kostelny’s role in advancing preservation policy and community engagement.
  • No fiscal impact, regulatory change, or enforcement mechanism accompanies this measure.

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

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