House concurrent resolution congratulating Terese Black on being named the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarita Austin and 43 co-sponsors

Vermont honors Terese Black as the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year for her decades of service in education, community mentoring, and leadership in reintegrating former prisoners.

Ceremonial Reading

Purpose and intent

H.C.R. 259 is a House concurrent resolution congratulating Terese Black on being named the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. The resolution recognizes her contributions to family, community, and public service, and notes the organization’s long-standing tradition of honoring outstanding mothers.

Key provisions and changes

Declares that Terese Black has been chosen as the 2026 Vermont Mother of the Year.

Describes her background and notable work, including:

Twenty years in education (approximately 18 years in various teaching roles in Iowa, Chicago, and Vermont).
Sixteen years as director of Rutland Dismas House, a residential program aimed at rehabilitating former prisoners and aiding their reintegration into society.
Involvement in mentoring (Mentor Connector), VeggieVanGo, Bridge to Rutland, and various roles with community groups.
Current leadership as chair of the governing council of Rutland Dismas House.
Active involvement in faith-based and community organizations (Catholic faith, Sisters of the Presentation in Dubuque, Sophia Sisters Prayer Group, Concerned Catholics of Vermont, Christ the King parish council, and music participation with a local choir).

Emphasizes the positive impact of her work on families and the broader Rutland community, highlighting themes of service, mentorship, and faith.

Who is affected

The primary beneficiary is Terese Black, honored as Vermont’s Mother of the Year.

Indirectly, the recognition highlights the broader networks and organizations she engages with (Rutland Dismas House, mentoring programs, community faith groups), which may receive increased visibility and acknowledgment.

The resolution does not impose new legal duties, funding, or regulatory changes; it serves as a ceremonial commendation from the Vermont General Assembly.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Last recorded action shows adoption on April 16-17, 2026, including:

On Consent Calendar
Adoption pursuant to Joint Rule 16b
Senate message and concurrence actions indicating it passed through both chambers on a consent basis

No fiscal impact or administrative implementation requirements are specified in the text; the action is primarily ceremonial.

The Secretary of State is directed to send a copy of the resolution to Terese Black.

Overall impact

The bill provides formal statewide recognition of Terese Black’s exemplary service as a mother and community leader.

It underscores Vermont’s appreciation for volunteerism, social reintegration efforts, and faith-informed community work.

As a concurrent resolution, it does not change statutes or allocate funds but serves to publicly acknowledge and celebrate individual achievement.

Bill