RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF DR. JEROME R. LEWIS AND THE JEROME R. LEWIS LEGISLATIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Romer
Last action: 2026-01-20
Official status: Passed 1/20/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms Dr. Lewis supervised until 2025 but does not specify who took over the role afterward.

Honoring Dr. Jerome R. Lewis and Renaming the Legislative Fellows Program

This resolution honors Dr. Jerome R. Lewis by renaming an existing student internship program to include his name.

What This Bill Does

Changes the official name of the Legislative Fellows Program to The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program
Recognizes that Dr. Jerome R. Lewis conceived and led the program from its start in 1982 until 2025
Expresses sadness over the death of Dr. Lewis and offers condolences to his family, the Biden School, and the Institute for Public Administration
Acknowledges that nearly 400 students from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University have served as Fellows

Who It Names or Affects

The Legislative Fellows Program operated by the University of Delaware and Delaware State University
Dr. Jerome R. Lewis's family, the Biden School, and the Institute for Public Administration
Former students who participated in the internship program

Terms To Know

Concurrent Resolution: A formal statement passed by both chambers of a legislature that does not create new laws or spend money.
Legislative Fellows Program: An internship program where college students work in the Delaware General Assembly to learn about and contribute to political decision-making through research and service.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution does not change how much money is spent on the program or who can apply.
The text states Dr. Lewis supervised the program until 2025, but it does not name a new supervisor.

Bill History

2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed In House by Voice Vote
2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF DR. JEROME R. LEWIS AND THE JEROME R. LEWIS LEGISLATIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM.
This Concurrent Resolution changes the name of the Legislative Fellows Program to “The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program”.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Romer on behalf of all Representatives & Sen. Sokola on behalf of all Senators

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85

RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF DR. JEROME R. LEWIS AND THE JEROME R. LEWIS LEGISLATIVE FELLOWS PROGRAM.

WHEREAS,

the Legislative Fellows Program, conceived by Dr. Jerome R. Lewis, was initiated in 1982 with co-sponsorship by the Delaware General Assembly and the University of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, the University of Delaware began collaborating with Delaware State University to begin allowing applicants from both colleges to join the Legislative Fellows program; and

WHEREAS, the Legislative Fellows Program, under the supervision of Dr. Jerome R. Lewis until 2025, has enabled hundreds of students to serve as interns in the Delaware General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Legislative Fellows Program, led by Dr. Jerome R. Lewis, has offered an extraordinary and paid opportunity for the selected students to become immersed in, observe, and contribute to the political decision-making process through their non-partisan in-depth research and service; and

WHEREAS, the Legislative Fellows Program has provided the Delaware General Assembly with the sound research skills and technical assistance of the individual Fellows as well as a link to the University’s resources, and especially the support of the Institute for Public Administration directed by Dr. Lewis; and

WHEREAS, nearly 400 students from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University have served as Legislative Fellows and many former Legislative Fellows have gone on to careers of public service and to important positions in public, private, and non-profit sectors as a result of the knowledge and experience they gained as Legislative Fellows; and

WHEREAS, few people in Delaware have made a more permanent and positive mark on Legislative Hall than Dr. Jerome R. Lewis.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Delaware General Assembly wishes to express its sadness on the passing of Dr. Lewis and express its condolences to the Lewis family, the Biden School, the Institute for Public Administration, and the countless public servants whose lives and careers he influenced for the better; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Delaware General Assembly wishes to express its appreciation for the exceptional contributions that Dr. Lewis has made to Delaware for over more than half a century of public service,

for the profound impact he has had on public policy, and for his dedication to mentoring generations of future policy leaders through the Legislative Fellows Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

by the House of Representatives of the 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware, and the Senate concurring therein, that it recognizes the accomplishments and service of Dr. Jerome R. Lewis and the Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution changes the name of the Legislative Fellows Program to “The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program”.