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SJ44 • 2026

Celebrating the life of Marqueta Neal Tyson.

Celebrating the life of Marqueta Neal Tyson.

Education
Enacted

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

Sponsor
Locke
Last action
2026-01-27
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Celebrating the Life of Marqueta Neal Tyson

This legislation celebrates and honors Marqueta Neal Tyson, a respected attorney and community leader in Hampton.

What This Bill Does

  • Recognizes the death of Marqueta Neal Tyson on September 24, 2025.
  • Highlights her educational achievements at Hampton High School, Hampton University, and Syracuse University.
  • Acknowledges her career as a teacher, marketing professional, lawyer, and community volunteer.
  • Expresses sadness over her passing and respect for her legacy of service.
  • Directs the Senate Clerk to present a copy of this resolution to Tyson's family.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Marqueta Neal Tyson's family
  • The Hampton community

Terms To Know

Resolution
A formal statement by the legislature expressing its opinion or intention on a matter.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This resolution does not provide any financial support or legal benefits.
  • The impact of this legislation is primarily symbolic and ceremonial.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ44ER)

  2. 2026-01-26 House

    Agreed to by House

  3. 2026-01-23 House

    Received

  4. 2026-01-23 House

    Laid on Speaker's table

  5. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  6. 2026-01-19 Senate

    Presented 26101116D

  7. 2026-01-19 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Celebrating the life of Marqueta Neal Tyson.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Celebrating the life of Marqueta Neal Tyson.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 26, 2026
WHEREAS, Marqueta Neal Tyson, a respected attorney and active and beloved member of the Hampton community, died on September 24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Hampton High School in 1972, Marqueta Tyson earned a bachelor's degree in mass media in 1976 from what is today Hampton University, where she was notably the first female announcer for the Marching Pirates; thereafter, she earned a master's degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson returned to her alma mater and taught broadcast journalism and television production in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism at Hampton University; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson then worked in the marketing communications department of the GE Aircraft Engine Business Group for some time before founding her own marketing communication and public relations firm, Pulse Communications, which assisted various Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson struck out on a new career path in 1995 when she enrolled at the Case Western Reserve School of Law, where she was elected president of the student body; and
WHEREAS, after completing her legal education, Marqueta Tyson founded the Tyson Legal Team, PLC, and Pulse Sports and Entertainment Management, LLC, and later opened the Tyson Legal Team in Hampton; she also worked for some time at the firms of Benesch Friedlander and Brouse McDowell in Cleveland; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson shared her legal expertise for the benefit of various organizations, including by serving as a contract advisor with the NFL Players Association and as general counsel to the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson gave generously of her time through her involvement with the Peninsula Bar Association, Hampton Bar Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Moles, the business improvement district board for Downtown Hampton, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Hampton History Museum, and the Rotary Club of Hampton, which she served as president; and
WHEREAS, guided throughout her life by her faith, Marqueta Tyson's spiritual journey began at Second Baptist Church East End in Newport News, and she enjoyed worship and fellowship with her community at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church in Hampton for many years; and
WHEREAS, Marqueta Tyson will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by numerous 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 Marqueta Neal Tyson, an esteemed attorney whose legacy of service and dedication is an inspiration to all who knew her; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Marqueta Neal Tyson as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for her memory.