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HJ54 • 2026

Commending the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.

Commending the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Leftwich
Last action
2026-04-01
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Commending Judge Robert G. MacDonald

This resolution commends Judge Robert G. MacDonald for his contributions to the community and his leadership in various organizations.

What This Bill Does

  • Commemorates Judge Robert G. MacDonald being named the 2025 First Citizen of Chesapeake.
  • Recognizes his extensive legal career, including serving as a judge since 2015.
  • Highlights his involvement with community organizations and churches.
  • Requests that the Clerk prepare an official copy to present to Judge MacDonald.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Judge Robert G. MacDonald

Terms To Know

First Citizen of Chesapeake
An annual award given by the Rotary Club and Chesapeake Rotary Foundation to an individual who exemplifies service above self.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution does not provide any financial support or legal benefits.
  • It is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Virginia General Assembly.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-01 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ54ER)

  2. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate by voice vote

  3. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate by voice vote Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  4. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Received

  5. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  6. 2026-01-26 House

    Engrossed by House

  7. 2026-01-26 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  8. 2026-01-15 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26100225D

Official Summary Text

Commending the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Commending the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 26, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2026
WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald, presiding judge of the Chesapeake Circuit Court, was selected as the 2025 First Citizen of Chesapeake for his generous contributions to the community and commitment to servant leadership; and
WHEREAS, a longtime resident of Chesapeake, Robert MacDonald practiced law in the area for more than 25 years, including as a partner in the firm MacDonald, Plumlee & Overton, P.C., and served as a substitute judge from 1997 through 2014; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Robert MacDonald was appointed as a judge of the Chesapeake General District Court in the First Judicial District of Virginia; he presided over the court with great fairness and wisdom until 2021, when he was elevated to the Chesapeake Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, outside of his legal career, Robert MacDonald has enhanced the quality of life in Chesapeake by offering his insightful leadership to numerous organizations, including Mercy Chefs, Healthy Chesapeake, Inc., H.O.P.E. Foundation, Inc., Roc Solid Foundation, the Bank of Hampton Roads Advisory Board, the TowneBank Board of Directors, and the Stonebridge Academy School Board; and
WHEREAS, Robert MacDonald enjoys fellowship and worship with the congregation of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, where he has served as a board member, youth leader, and Sunday school teacher; he has shared his faith with communities around the world as a missionary in Africa, Latin America, and Europe; and
WHEREAS, the First Citizen of Chesapeake award is presented annually by the Rotary Club of Chesapeake and the Chesapeake Rotary Foundation to recognize outstanding individuals who have upheld the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”; Robert MacDonald received the prestigious award at a special ceremony at the Chesapeake Conference Center on September 18, 2025; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald on the occasion of his selection as the 2025 First Citizen of Chesapeake; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Robert G. MacDonald as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his personal and professional achievements and legacy of service to the Chesapeake community.