Read the full stored bill text
Commemorating the life and legacy of Benjamin Harrison V.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 26, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, January 29, 2026
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison V (1726–1791) was born at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County into a family whose legacy of public service deeply shaped the early history of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison emerged as a prominent Virginia statesman, planter, and patriot during the colonial era, serving his community and colony with distinction; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison served multiple terms in the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he became known for his leadership, oratory, and resolute support for colonial rights; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison was elected a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, working alongside some of the most influential minds of the American Revolution, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams; and
WHEREAS, on July 4, 1776, Benjamin Harrison placed his name upon one of America's most sacred documents by signing the Declaration of Independence, boldly pledging “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” in the pursuit of liberty; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison famously served as the chairman of the Committee of the Whole during the debates over the Declaration of Independence, presiding over the discussion and reading of the draft document that would alter the course of world history; and
WHEREAS, during the American Revolution, Benjamin Harrison actively supported the patriot cause and provided leadership that helped secure the Commonwealth's commitment to independence; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison continued his public service as governor of Virginia from 1781 to 1784, guiding the Commonwealth through the difficult final years of the war and the beginning of national recovery; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison's legacy extends through the continued service of his descendants, including his son William Henry Harrison, the 9th president of the United States, and his great-grandson Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Benjamin Harrison's ancestral home, Berkeley Plantation, remains a national treasure, preserving the memory of his contributions to the birth of the nation and celebrating the ongoing story of American freedom; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commemorate the life and legacy of Benjamin Harrison V on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his birth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the historic Berkeley Plantation as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for Benjamin Harrison V's unwavering patriotism, statesmanship, and leadership in securing American independence and shaping the Commonwealth.