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SJ165 • 2026

Commending Howard E. Gwynn.

Commending Howard E. Gwynn.

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Diggs
Last action
2026-03-14
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details about Howard E. Gwynn's educational background or its influence on his career, so these statements were removed.

Commending Howard E. Gwynn

This legislation commends Howard E. Gwynn on his retirement after 30 years as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Newport News.

What This Bill Does

  • Praises Howard E. Gwynn for retiring after 30 years of service as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Newport News.
  • Recognizes his achievements, including leading initiatives like drug courts and trauma-informed programs.
  • Acknowledges his receipt of the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award in 2024.
  • Requests a copy of this resolution be given to Howard E. Gwynn as an official commendation.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Howard E. Gwynn

Terms To Know

Commonwealth's Attorney
A lawyer who represents the state in criminal cases.
Drug courts
Specialized court programs that help people with drug addiction get treatment instead of punishment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide any financial support or changes to laws, only a commendation.
  • It focuses on recognizing past achievements and does not set future policies.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-14 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ165ER)

  2. 2026-03-09 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  3. 2026-03-06 House

    Received

  4. 2026-03-06 House

    Laid on Speaker's table

  5. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  6. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Presented 26107016D

  7. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Howard E. Gwynn.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Howard E. Gwynn.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, after 30 years of distinguished service, Howard E. Gwynn retired as the Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Newport News on January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Howard Gwynn was born and raised in Newport News during a time of racial segregation, which inspired him to dedicate his life to the pursuit of equal justice for all; his passion for community service was nurtured by his mother and reinforced by people like civil rights activist and former state lawmaker Flora Crittenden, who served as his guidance counselor in high school; and
WHEREAS, Howard Gwynn graduated as valedictorian of George W. Carver High School, earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy with honors from Dartmouth College, then received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School; and
WHEREAS, Howard Gwynn began his career as an assistant prosecutor, then was elected as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Newport News in 1990; he led a team of more than 75 professionals whose goal was to ensure that the criminal justice system worked for everyone, from survivors of crime and their families to defendants trying to rebuild their lives; and
WHEREAS, under Howard Gwynn's leadership, Newport News was among the first localities in the Commonwealth to launch drug courts, trauma-informed programs for victims, and behavioral health dockets, reflecting his ideals that the justice system should promote healing, not just punishment; and
WHEREAS, Howard Gwynn has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to the Newport News community; he was profoundly inspired by the people who transformed themselves from victims to victors and by defendants who took full advantage of their second chances to become contributing members of society; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his legacy of achievements, Howard Gwynn was named as the recipient of the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award by the Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Section in 2024; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Howard E. Gwynn on the occasion of his retirement as the Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Newport News; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Howard E. Gwynn as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to the justice system in the Commonwealth and decades of service to the Newport News community.