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Commending Jennifer Ashworth.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2026
WHEREAS, Jennifer Ashworth, an esteemed public servant who greatly served the citizens of Henry County for 37 years, including as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County, retired in 2025; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Jennifer Ashworth was selected from among a pool of 200 applicants to join the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, where she would support the court's operations, recordkeeping, and public engagement for the remainder of her career; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Ashworth served for some time as lead deputy clerk before being elected Clerk of the Henry County Circuit Court in 2016, assuming the responsibility of more than 800 duties mandated by the Code of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, over her tenure, Jennifer Ashworth modernized operations at the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office by digitizing land records dating back to 1777 and converting criminal and civil files into electronic formats; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Ashworth secured a Library of Virginia Circuit Court Records Preservation grant to support the preservation and digitization of several historically significant documents in the Henry County Circuit Court's archives, including a land grant signed by Thomas Jefferson; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Ashworth improved the public's interactions with the Henry County Circuit Court by facilitating improvements to its jury management system; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Ashworth's legacy at the Henry County Circuit Court includes the colleagues she generously mentored over the years, who carry on her commitment to professionalism and integrity in service to the community; and
WHEREAS, the Henry County Board of Supervisors recognized Jennifer Ashworth for her exemplary service at its meeting on December 16, 2025, providing an opportunity for the Henry County community to honor the impact she made over her long and impressive career; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Jennifer Ashworth, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County, hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jennifer Ashworth as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her contributions to Henry County and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.