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HJ222 • 2026

Commending the CSX Santa Train.

Commending the CSX Santa Train.

Children Labor
Enacted

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

Sponsor
O'Quinn
Last action
2026-04-09
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact number of items distributed and specific locations mentioned in the candidate explanation are not directly stated or implied in the provided official source material.

Praise for the CSX Santa Train

This resolution commends the CSX Santa Train for its longstanding holiday tradition of bringing joy and gifts to children in Appalachia.

What This Bill Does

  • Commends the CSX Santa Train for its 83-year-old holiday tradition that brings joy and hope to Appalachian communities.
  • Acknowledges the train's annual journey through Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, distributing toys and supplies at various stops along the route.
  • Recognizes the efforts of volunteers, CSX employees, sponsors, and community partners who contribute to making the event possible.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The CSX Santa Train
  • Volunteers and CSX employees involved in organizing the train
  • Sponsors and community partners supporting the event

Terms To Know

Commendation
An official statement of praise or approval.
Volunteers
People who help with an activity without being paid.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution does not provide any financial support for the CSX Santa Train.
  • It only expresses appreciation and admiration for the train's work.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ222ER)

  2. 2026-03-11 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  3. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Received

  4. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  5. 2026-03-09 House

    Engrossed by House

  6. 2026-03-09 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  7. 2026-03-04 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26108549D

Official Summary Text

Commending the CSX Santa Train.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending the CSX Santa Train.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, for 83 years, the CSX Santa Train has been one of the nation's most cherished holiday traditions, bringing joy and hope to the heart of Appalachia; and
WHEREAS, since 1943, the CSX Santa Train has made a 110-mile journey through Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, with Santa and his elves tossing toys, handing out backpacks filled with supplies, and spreading Christmas cheer to children and their families; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the CSX Santa Train provided more than 15,000 toys, 6,000 train safety books, and 5,000 bags with cold-weather gear to the hundreds of individuals who were gathered at 15 locations along its route, which spanned from Shelby, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, including stops in the Southwest Virginia communities of Toms Bottom, Haysi, Clinchco, Fremont, Dante, St. Paul, Dungannon, Fort Blackmore, Kermit, and Waycross; and
WHEREAS, the CSX Santa Train is made possible through the hard work of devoted volunteers and CSX employees who spend weeks packing all the backpacks with toys, as well as the generosity of sponsors and community partners, including Appalachian Power, Food City, and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, for more than eight decades, the CSX Santa Train has brought joy, hope, and Christmas magic to children who might not otherwise receive any gifts for the holiday; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the CSX Santa Train for its compassionate service to the children of the Southwest Virginia Region; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to CSX as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the profound cultural impact and importance of the CSX Santa Train to Southwest Virginia and best wishes in the years to come as the organization continues to serve future generations of children and families through this beloved tradition.