Commending Pamelia Henriksen.

Commending Pamelia Henriksen.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 15, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 19, 2026
WHEREAS, Pamelia Henriksen, a vibrant member of the Arlington community, celebrated her 100th birthday in 2025; and
WHEREAS, born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on March 3, 1925, Pamelia “Pam” Henriksen moved to Wisconsin at a young age and attended elementary school in a two-room schoolhouse, then graduated from Wisconsin University High School; and
WHEREAS, Pam Henriksen gained an appreciation for mathematics from her mother, who worked as a teacher, and she majored in the subject at what is now Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin; during her college years, many of her classmates were called away to serve the nation during World War II, including 88 of 90 students in her calculus class; and
WHEREAS, Pam Henriksen continued her education by studying accounting at the University of Wisconsin, then settled in Arlington in 1947 and began working for the
Washington Times-Herald
conducting market research; and
WHEREAS, Pam Henriksen next worked for the United States Army Map Service, where she met her husband of 59 years, Soren; and
WHEREAS, after the birth of her first child, Pam Henriksen focused on raising her family and serving the Arlington community as a volunteer; and
WHEREAS, as a longtime member of Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, Pam Henriksen served as treasurer of several church committees, a member of the choir, and an active leader in several other ministries; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, shortly after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Pam Henriksen volunteered to help establish an integrated vacation Bible school program between Rock Spring Congregational UCC and Calloway Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Pam Henriksen has enhanced the lives of others by supporting several local charitable organizations, including as a board member of the Arlington Helping Hands, a group of nonprofits backed by a variety of Arlington faith communities; and
WHEREAS, Pam Henriksen also provided outstanding leadership to the Arlington County Democrats, serving as the keeper of voter records for more than 60 years and working diligently to update and process membership and accounting records in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, outside of her careers and community service, Pam Henriksen studied the art of making traditional Japanese dolls for almost 20 years and ultimately traveled to Japan with her teacher and several other students; and
WHEREAS, through all of her endeavors, Pam Henriksen has touched countless lives through her kindness, generosity, wisdom, and grace; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Pamelia Henriksen on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Pamelia Henriksen as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her personal and professional achievements and legacy of contributions to her community.