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Celebrating the life of Claudia Hantman Arko.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 23, 2026
WHEREAS, Claudia Hantman Arko, a dedicated public servant and beloved member of the Fairfax County community, died on April 2, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko, originally from Miami, attended Miami Country Day School before a love for politics and public service instilled in her at an early age led her to earn a bachelor's degree at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and a master's degree in international relations at George Washington University; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko served as an advisor to United States Congressman Albert Wynn, worked for the United States Senate Budget Committee and, after growing her family, took a job as a legislative aide with Fairfax County; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko served Fairfax County for 20 years, most recently as legislative director, a role to which she brought her deep policy expertise, sharp intellect, tenacious work ethic, and commitment to public service; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko was universally recognized as a leader by her peers in the community of local government advocates; she was known for her skill in building alliances and partnerships within Northern Virginia and across the Commonwealth, and for joining forces to advocate on issues that unite large and small jurisdictions alike; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko had a talent for friendship and a keen sense of humor that enabled her to cultivate tight bonds with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, members of the Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly, and her colleagues and other local government advocates, establishing a sense of camaraderie and mission; and
WHEREAS, while Claudia Arko's professional achievements were many, she was first and foremost a devoted wife, mother, and friend; she served as president of her local parent teacher association, organized sporting teams, and served as a team mom, championing her children in all of their endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko's many contributions throughout her life of public service and her work to improve the partnership between the Commonwealth and county governments will continue to benefit residents of Fairfax County and Virginia for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Claudia Arko will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her husband, Michael; her children Nicholas, Sienna, and Allegra; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Claudia Hantman Arko, a cherished member of the Fairfax County community whose commitment to public service made a lasting impact on countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Claudia Hantman Arko as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.