HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 203

FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Austin)

Directing the Joint Rules Committee to develop plans for a special commemorative session or event involving the members of the General Assembly to be held in Williamsburg on October 7, 2026, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the First Virginia General Assembly meeting in regular session following independence.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. __________

WHEREAS, Virginia became the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World with the founding of Jamestown in 1607; and

WHEREAS, the political genesis of our democratic form of government springs from the establishment of the House of Burgesses in Jamestown in 1619, the first legislative body in the New World; and

WHEREAS, the capital of the Colony of Virginia was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg, where the House of Burgesses first met on April 21, 1704; and

WHEREAS, Virginia declared independence from Great Britain in 1776, forming the Commonwealth of Virginia and adopting a republican form of government grounded in representative democracy; and

WHEREAS, on October 7, 1776, the First Virginia General Assembly met in regular session following independence, marking a defining moment in the transition from colonial governance to constitutional self-government; and

WHEREAS, the proceedings of that historic Assembly laid the foundation for Virginia's enduring constitutional framework and its continued leadership among the several states; and

WHEREAS, the capital of the Commonwealth was later moved to Richmond, where the General Assembly continues to meet in regular session; and

WHEREAS, October 7, 2026, will mark the 250th anniversary of the First Virginia General Assembly convening in regular session after independence; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this historic milestone be commemorated in Williamsburg, the former colonial capital and enduring symbol of representative government in Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Rules Committee be directed to develop plans for a special commemorative session or event involving the members of the General Assembly to be held in Williamsburg on October 7, 2026, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the First Virginia General Assembly meeting in regular session following independence; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly urge the citizens of the Commonwealth to recognize and become familiar with the storied history of the Commonwealth of Virginia.