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SJ 372

Commending the Honorable L.A. Harris, Jr.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ryan McDougle and 1 co-sponsor

Ceremonial resolution commend Harris for decades of judicial service and announces the Henrico Courts Building renamed in his honor.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ372ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 372

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution No. 372 (SJ372ER)

A ceremonial, non-binding resolution recognizing and commending the Honorable L.A. Harris, Jr. on his retirement from the bench and noting related honors.

Purpose and Intent

  • Expresses admiration and commendation for the Hon. L.A. Harris, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement as a judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.
  • Acknowledges Harris’s long tenure, public service, and contributions to the legal profession and the residents of Henrico County and the Commonwealth.
  • Notes a post-retirement honor: the renaming of the Henrico County Courts Building in his honor (to the L.A. Harris Jr. Courts Building).

Key Provisions and Content

  • Statements of merit:
    • Harris’s background: lifelong Henrico County resident; education from Hermitage High School, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Richmond School of Law.
    • Career path: prosecutor with Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney, private practice, special justice (1981–1987) handling civil commitment hearings; Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney; judge of the Henrico County General District Court (1988); judge of the Henrico County Circuit Court (14th Judicial Circuit) for 35 years.
    • Roles and impact: served on numerous committees; presented at conferences and seminars; mentored generations of attorneys and judges; noted as the longest-serving judge in the Commonwealth at retirement.
    • Honor to the building: Henrico County Courts Building renamed as the L.A. Harris Jr. Courts Building in his honor.
  • Procedural directive:
    • The Clerk of the Senate is authorized to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Harris, expressing the General Assembly’s admiration.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary subject: The Honorable L.A. Harris, Jr., on his retirement.
  • Institutions affected by the recognition: Henrico County Courts Building (renamed in his honor) and the broader Virginia legal community.
  • No new laws or fiscal measures are created; the resolution is ceremonial in nature.

Procedural and Timeline Information

  • Introduced: February 12, 2025.
  • Key action timeline:
    • Engrossed by Senate: February 13, 2025.
    • Agreed to by Senate (voice vote): February 13, 2025.
    • Laid on Clerk’s Desk / Received: February 12–14, 2025.
    • Agreed to by House of Delegates (voice vote): February 17, 2025.
    • Enrolled and Joint Resolution enacted as SJ372ER: February 19, 2025.
  • Final status: SJ372ER (Enrolled) as passed by both chambers.

Bottom Line

SJ372ER is a ceremonial resolution commending the Hon. L.A. Harris, Jr. for his decades of judicial service, recognizing his distinguished career and retired status, and noting the renaming of the Henrico County Courts Building in his honor. It reflects the General Assembly’s appreciation rather than creating any enforceable statutory or fiscal changes.

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

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