Commending Stephen Smith-Cobbs.

2026, 1st Special Session Introduced by Irene Shin

The bill formally commends Stephen Smith-Cobbs for decades of religious leadership and community service as he nears retirement.

Bill text as passed House (HR2056ER)

Purpose and Intent

HR 2056 is a House of Delegates resolution commending Stephen Smith-Cobbs on the occasion of his upcoming retirement as senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon.

The resolution recognizes Smith-Cobbs’s decades of religious leadership, community involvement, and service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, including his invocation to the House of Delegates on February 16, 2026.

Key Provisions and Changes

Formal commendation: The primary action is to publicly commend Stephen Smith-Cobbs for his legacy of faith, service, and devotion.

Presentation of copy: The Clerk of the House of Delegates is directed to prepare a copy of the resolution to be presented to Smith-Cobbs as an expression of the House’s admiration and best wishes for retirement.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Individual recognized: Stephen Smith-Cobbs, senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (Herndon), who is retiring in November 2026.

Civic and religious institutions: While the resolution is directed to Smith-Cobbs, it also highlights his involvement with local religious and community organizations, reflecting positively on those groups and the broader Commonwealth.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Prefiling: HR 2056 was introduced and prefiled on April 23, 2026.

Status: Laid on the Speaker’s table; offered on April 23, 2026.

Sponsor: Primary sponsor (Patron) is Representative Shin; Co-sponsor is Irene Shin.

Next steps: If adopted, the Clerk will prepare and present the commemorative copy to Stephen Smith-Cobbs.

Background Highlights About Stephen Smith-Cobbs (as referenced in the resolution)

Longtime religious leadership: Nearly three decades as senior pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon.

Education and ordination: Bachelor’s degree from Austin College (1981); Master of Divinity (1985); ordained in July 1986.

Ministry and service: Held roles in various congregations across Texas and New Jersey; contributed to Presbyterian organizational life, including the National Capital Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and crisis response efforts; engaged in NEXT Church initiatives.

Community involvement: Active in local initiatives and organizations such as the Herndon Festival, Project Hope and Harmony, Lunch for the Soul, and Cornerstones, among others.

Public service in the Commonwealth: Delivered the invocation for the Virginia House of Delegates on February 16, 2026.

This resolution is ceremonial in nature, aimed at recognizing and honoring Stephen Smith-Cobbs’s contributions to his church and community as he approaches retirement. It does not create new legal obligations or funding.

Bill