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SJ53 • 2026

Commending Jennifer Ashworth.

Commending Jennifer Ashworth.

Enacted

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Praise for Jennifer Ashworth

This bill honors Jennifer Ashworth, who retired after serving as clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County for 37 years.

What This Bill Does

  • Honors Jennifer Ashworth for her long service to Henry County.
  • Recognizes her contributions in modernizing court operations and improving public engagement with the court.
  • Acknowledges her work in preserving historical documents and mentoring colleagues.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Jennifer Ashworth, who retired as clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County.

Terms To Know

Clerk of the Circuit Court
A public official responsible for managing court records and supporting court operations in a county or city.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide any financial support or changes to laws, it is purely an expression of appreciation.
  • It only affects Jennifer Ashworth and does not change how the Circuit Court operates.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ53ER)

  2. 2026-01-26 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  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 by voice vote

  6. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate by voice vote

  7. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Agreed to by Senate by voice vote Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  8. 2026-01-21 Senate

    Presented 26104655D

  9. 2026-01-21 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Jennifer Ashworth.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Jennifer Ashworth.
Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 26, 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 Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Jennifer Ashworth, clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County, on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jennifer Ashworth as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her contributions to Henry County and the Commonwealth and best wishes for a joyful and fulfilling retirement.