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HJ117 • 2026

Celebrating the life of Russell Elliot Wiley.

Celebrating the life of Russell Elliot Wiley.

Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Bennett-Parker
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Celebrating the Life of Russell Elliot Wiley

This legislation honors Russell Elliot Wiley, who was a long-time resident and community leader in Alexandria.

What This Bill Does

  • Recognizes the death of Russell Elliot Wiley with sadness.
  • Highlights her early life and education in Richmond, Bowling Green, Lynchburg, and Nashville.
  • Notes her contributions to teaching and volunteering for various organizations.
  • Acknowledges her role as a community leader in Alexandria.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Russell Elliot Wiley's family
  • The city of Alexandria

Terms To Know

WHEREAS
A clause used to introduce facts or reasons that support the resolution.
RESOLVED
A statement expressing a formal decision or opinion by the General Assembly.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide specific actions beyond recognizing Russell Elliot Wiley's life and contributions.
  • It is unclear what form of presentation will be given to her family.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ117ER)

  2. 2026-02-19 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate

  3. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Received

  4. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  5. 2026-02-16 House

    Engrossed by House

  6. 2026-02-16 House

    Agreed to by House

  7. 2026-02-09 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26101879D

Official Summary Text

Celebrating the life of Russell Elliot Wiley.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Celebrating the life of Russell Elliot Wiley.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, Russell Elliot Wiley, a vibrant member of the Alexandria community, died on November 4, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Russell “Russ” Elliot Wiley spent her early life in Richmond, Bowling Green, and Lynchburg, where she graduated from E.C. Glass High School; and
WHEREAS, Russ Wiley continued her education at the University of Richmond's Westhampton College, then transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; after asking another student, Russ Davis, to borrow class notes, the couple bonded over sharing the same name and began a relationship that lasted more than five decades; and
WHEREAS, Russ Wiley received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University, then attended a sociology graduate program, and subsequently taught pre-retirement classes at the University of Tennessee at Nashville; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Russ Wiley and her husband relocated to Alexandria after he accepted a position with the United States Census Bureau; she held several part-time jobs over the years, ultimately becoming manager of a Crown Books location; and
WHEREAS, in later life, Russ Wiley also provided protective care services for her mother and members of her husband's family; and
WHEREAS, Russ Wiley was a longtime member of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, offering her leadership and insights as co-chair of the organization's Labor Caucus; she was an honorary member of the American Federation of Government Employees and an active volunteer with the Northern Virginia Labor Federation; and
WHEREAS, Russ Wiley will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 53 years, Russ, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Russell Elliot Wiley; 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 Russell Elliot Wiley as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.