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SR83 • 2026

Commending Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell.

Commending Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell.

Labor
Enacted

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

Sponsor
Williams Graves
Last action
2026-03-24
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The source material does not specify details on how the commendation will be presented to Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell.

Honoring Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell

This bill honors Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell for their service to faith and community in the Hampton Roads region.

What This Bill Does

  • Commends Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell for their dedication to faith and community leadership in the Hampton Roads area.
  • Recognizes their contributions to several churches in Virginia, including New Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Norfolk and Union Baptist Missionary Church in Suffolk.
  • Praises them for inspiring others through their work as authors and mentors.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell

Terms To Know

Commend
To praise or honor someone for their good work.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide specific funding or changes to laws, only a commendation.
  • It is unclear how this commendation will be presented to Bishop Russell and Pastor Russell.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-24 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate (SR83ER)

  2. 2026-03-05 Senate

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

  3. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Presented 26107241D

  4. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

  5. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Laid on Clerk's Desk

Official Summary Text

Commending Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026
WHEREAS, Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell have served and inspired countless individuals throughout the Hampton Roads region through their dedication to faith and community leadership; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and Pastor Russell have faithfully served several congregations in the Commonwealth, including New Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Norfolk and Union Baptist Missionary Church in Suffolk, where their leadership has strengthened families, uplifted communities, and expanded ministries that serve people of all ages; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Russell is widely respected as a visionary pastor, author, and mentor whose ministry has inspired countless individuals and churches across the nation and around the world, while Pastor Russell has faithfully led, taught, and nurtured others through her work in ministry, women's leadership, and spiritual development; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and Pastor Russell have exemplified unwavering love, faith, and commitment to one another, building a marriage rooted in Christian devotion, mutual respect, and shared purpose; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on December 27, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and Pastor Russell's partnership in marriage has been a cornerstone of their shared ministry, demonstrating the power of unity, service, and faith, and serving as a model of enduring love to their family, congregations, and the broader community; and
WHEREAS, Bishop and Pastor Russell are the proud parents of three children and the loving grandparents of twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, leaving a legacy of faith and service that spans generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell hereby be commended for their legacy of service as faith leaders in the Hampton Roads region; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., and Pastor Ronda H. Russell as an expression of their longstanding commitment to servant leadership.