Commending The Dairy Godmother.

2026, 1st Special Session Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

The Dairy Godmother is formally recognized by the Virginia Senate for 25 years of community service and high-quality frozen custard, honoring its local impact.

Bill text as passed Senate (SR2035ER)

Summary of Senate Resolution No. 2035 (SR 2035), 2026 Session (Virginia)

Purpose and intent

The resolution commends The Dairy Godmother, a custard and dessert shop in Alexandria, Virginia, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

It recognizes the shop as a long-standing community institution in the Del Ray neighborhood and highlights its contributions to the local economy and quality of life in Alexandria and the Commonwealth.

Key provisions and changes

Formal commendation: The Senate of Virginia expresses admiration and appreciation for The Dairy Godmother.

Presentation: Requires the Clerk of the Senate to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Russell Gravatt, the owner, as an official expression of the Senate’s recognition.

Scope of recognition: The commendation covers the shop’s 25 years of operation, its adherence to high standards in its frozen custard and desserts, and its role in the community.

Who/what is affected

The Dairy Godmother, its owner Russell Gravatt, and the Del Ray community in Alexandria, Virginia are the primary subjects of the recognition.

The resolution serves as an official symbolic gesture from the Virginia Senate, with a ceremonial impact rather than creating regulatory or financial changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced and presented in the 2026 Special Session I.

Action history: The resolution was laid on the Clerk’s Desk and presented on June 15, 2026.

Sponsor: Primary sponsor is Senator Bennett-Parker, with a co-sponsor from Elizabeth Bennett-Parker.

No fiscal impact or enforceable policy changes are associated with a ceremonial resolution; its effect is ceremonial recognition and goodwill.

Notable context included in the resolution

The Dairy Godmother’s signature frozen custard and the shop’s standards (consistency requirements for egg yolk and milk fat) are noted as part of its quality.

Additional historical notes mention the shop’s expansion, such as Just Fine Donuts being opened within The Dairy Godmother in 2021, and a notable visit by former President Barack Obama in 2009, underscoring its local significance.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison to typical ceremonial resolutions and their usual political or community functions, or tailor this summary for a different audience (e.g., community members, business owners, or policymakers).