2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26108584D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 232

Offered March 3, 2026

Commending Tonya B. Lacey.

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Patrons—Cole, J.G., Carroll, Cole, N.T. and Franklin, M.A.

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WHEREAS, Tonya B. Lacey, the first Black woman to serve as clerk of council in the City of Fredericksburg, retired on September 1, 2025, after more than 33 years of exceptional service to the city; and

WHEREAS, Tonya Lacey began her career in local government as a city manager receptionist from 1992 to 1999, then served as secretary of planning from 1999 to 2002, and secretary to the city manager from 2002 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, Tonya Lacey was hired as clerk of council in 2009 and obtained her certified municipal clerk certification in 2011 and her master municipal clerk certification in 2019; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her vital role supporting the Fredericksburg City Council, Tonya Lacey has also served as assistant to the mayor, records manager, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, facilitating more than 797 FOIA requests; and

WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Tonya Lacey attended approximately 411 Fredericksburg City Council meetings and 452 work sessions, writing approximately 7,617 pages of meeting minutes into the record; and

WHEREAS, Tonya Lacey became a pillar of knowledge for the City of Fredericksburg by providing the essential services of preparing and preserving official records, facilitating clear and transparent communication between the governing body and the public, and serving as a central point of contact for councilmembers, city staff, and members of the public; and

WHEREAS, Tonya Lacey's trailblazing achievements have been commemorated in the Fredericksburg Area Museum's Living Legacies exhibit, a testament to her integrity, dedication to service, and commitment to excellence; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Tonya B. Lacey hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as clerk of council in the City of Fredericksburg; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Tonya B. Lacey as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her incredible contributions to the Fredericksburg community.