Bill > HJR52

This resolution, a formal expression of sentiment from the Virginia General Assembly, commemorates the life of William J. Martin, who passed away on December 28, 2025. It highlights his significant contributions as the longtime director of the Valentine, a museum in Richmond, where he revitalized its programming and financial stability, making it a dynamic community resource that interprets the city's history. The resolution also acknowledges his early passion for history, his work in Petersburg to revitalize its downtown, and his efforts to foster dialogue about Richmond's past, including its Confederate monuments, particularly after the 2017 Unite the Right rally. It further recognizes his role as a mentor, his engaging walking tours of Richmond neighborhoods, and his numerous accolades, including being named a Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year Hall of Fame inductee and a Style Weekly Richmonder of the Year, ultimately expressing the General Assembly's profound respect for his memory and directing that a copy of the resolution be presented to his family.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJ52