2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26100382D

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled November 20, 2025

Commending the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.

—————

Patron—Craig

—————

WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald, presiding judge of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, was selected as the 2025 First Citizen of Chesapeake for his generous contributions to the community and commitment to servant leadership; and

WHEREAS, a longtime resident of Chesapeake, Robert MacDonald practiced law in the area for more than 25 years, including as a partner in the firm MacDonald, Plumlee & Overton, P.C., and served as a substitute judge from 1997 through 2014; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, Robert MacDonald was appointed as a judge of the Chesapeake General District Court in the First Judicial District of Virginia; he presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom until 2021, when he was elevated to the Chesapeake Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, outside of his legal career, Robert MacDonald has enhanced the quality of life in Chesapeake by offering his insightful leadership to numerous organizations, including Mercy Chefs, Healthy Chesapeake, Inc., H.O.P.E. Foundation, Inc., Roc Solid Foundation, the Bank of Hampton Roads Advisory Board, the TowneBank Board of Directors, and the Stonebridge Academy School Board; and

WHEREAS, Robert MacDonald enjoys fellowship and worship with the congregation of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, where he has served as a board member, youth leader, and Sunday school teacher; he has shared his faith with communities around the world as a missionary in Africa, Latin America, and Europe; and

WHEREAS, the First Citizen of Chesapeake award is presented annually by the Rotary Club of Chesapeake and the Chesapeake Rotary Foundation to recognize outstanding individuals who have upheld the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”; Robert MacDonald received the prestigious award at a special ceremony at the Chesapeake Conference Center on September 18, 2025; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald on the occasion of his selection as the 2025 First Citizen of Chesapeake; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his personal and professional achievements and legacy of service to the Chesapeake community.