2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25103188D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 235

Offered February 4, 2025

Commending Dr. Jessica M. Jones.

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Patron—Mulchi

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WHEREAS, Dr. Jessica M. Jones, a champion for Virginia's agricultural sector, has served the Commonwealth as a teacher, a member of the State Milk Commission, and a leader in several other organizations related to agriculture and education, including the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Association for Career and Technical Education, as well as their Virginia chapters, and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Jones began her career as an agricultural education and environmental science teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor in Campbell County Public Schools; she subsequently joined Pittsylvania County Public Schools as a faculty member at Chatham Middle School and currently works at Tunstall High School; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Jones is also the coach and lead mentor for Tunstall High School's For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology robotics team and a professor of agribusiness, communications, and leadership at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Jessica Jones provides her leadership and expertise to the county as the president of the Pittsylvania Education Association, vice president of the Virginia Education Association, and serves as chair of the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure; which advises the Virginia Board of Education on policies applicable to the qualifications, examination, and licensure of public school personnel; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, Jessica Jones was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to the State Milk Commission under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; she served in that capacity until 2018, then was reappointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2022; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the State Milk Commission, Jessica Jones has overseen the issuance of licenses to processors and distributors of fluid milk products and helped ensure that Virginians have a consistent, available, and reasonably priced supply of milk; and

WHEREAS, among many awards and accolades, Jessica Jones was selected as the Distinguished Farm Bureau Woman at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women's Leadership Conference in 2024 and was named the National Teacher Mentor of the Year at the National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in 2024; and

WHEREAS, through her contributions as an educator and a trusted expert in her field, Jessica Jones has helped strengthen the Commonwealth's agricultural and education sectors for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Dr. Jessica M. Jones hereby be commended for her legacy of service as an educator and an advocate for the Commonwealth's agricultural industry; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Jessica M. Jones as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her personal and professional achievements.