2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2118

Celebrating the life of Chester W. De Long, Ph.D.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 22, 2026

WHEREAS, Chester W. De Long, Ph.D., an honorable veteran, esteemed civil servant, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and active member of the Falls Church community, died on April 26, 2026; and

WHEREAS, a native of Seattle, Chester “Chet” W. De Long, Ph.D., graduated from Fairbanks High School in Alaska in 1941 before he was drafted into the United States Navy during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Chet De Long completed basic training and studied at Marquette University and the Washington University School of Medicine with the intent to become a navy doctor, when his interest in biochemistry inspired him to pursue a doctoral degree in chemistry; and

WHEREAS, after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, Chet De Long conducted research at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation before obtaining a doctoral degree in chemistry from what is today Washington State University in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Chet De Long began his career as an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency and in 1967 joined the Office of Academic Affairs within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he played a leading role in guiding the development of medical schools associated with VA hospitals before retiring in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Chet De Long made an impact on the Falls Church community by steering the development of the local high school International Baccalaureate program and by steadfastly supporting his wife, Carol De Long, during her many years on the Falls Church City Council and as the mayor of Falls Church; and

WHEREAS, throughout his retirement, Chet De Long devoted himself to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church, including by serving for more than 25 years on the library's board of trustees, by guiding and advocating for the library's recent renovation and expansion project, by cofounding the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation, and by volunteering hundreds of hours each year alongside the library's staff; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation established the Chester “Chet” De Long Award in 2020 in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Chet De Long was named the grand marshal of the 40th annual City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade in 2022, a fitting tribute for a man who had worked tirelessly for the benefit of the city and its residents; and

WHEREAS, guided throughout his life by his faith, Chet De Long enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and deacon and on the organ selection committee; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Carol, Chet De Long will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Leslie, Alison, and Linda, and their families and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Chester W. De Long, Ph.D., a cherished member of the Falls Church community whose service and dedication will forever inspire all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Chester W. De Long, Ph.D., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.