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2014 SESSION

14101145D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 224
Offered January 27, 2014
Commending the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones.
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Patrons-- Carr, Brink, Filler-Corn, James, McClellan, McQuinn, Torian and Tyler
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones, a native of Philadelphia, was born on February 3, 1948, and currently serves as the Mayor of the City of Richmond, and is also the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones relocated to Richmond to attend the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University where he earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1970 and the Master of Divinity degree in 1973; he earned the Doctorate of Divinity degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, he has been an active public servant in the City of Richmond for more than 35 years; in 1979, he was appointed to the Richmond City School Board, where he served as chairman from 1982 to 1985; in 1993, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the 70th House District where he served as a member on various House Committees, including the Committees on Transportation and Commerce and Labor; he worked collaboratively with members on both sides of the aisle to provide health services, ensure sound state finances, and protect Richmond’s neighborhoods and most fragile citizens; during his legislative career, he also served as chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus; and

WHEREAS, a staunch believer that change and progress begin in your own neighborhood, he founded the South Richmond Senior Center, the Imani Intergenerational Community Development Corporation in 1975, and the Imani Mews Apartments and Retail Center to facilitate access to affordable housing, revitalization of distressed business areas, promotion of economic development and investment, creation of workforce initiatives, training and opportunities, and reduction of neighborhood crime; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, the church has developed an extensive community outreach ministry and has purchased additional property in Chesterfield to accommodate the increase in worshippers and its ministries; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones was named one of Richmond’s 100 Most Outstanding Citizens in 1985, and Style Weekly magazine awarded him “2013 Richmonder of the Year”; he has been a member of several corporate and community boards and committees, including Richmond Renaissance, on which he served as chairman; the Virginia Commonwealth University’s MCV Hospital Authority; Metro Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau; Richmond Red Cross; YMCA Board of Directors; Richmond Commission on Human Relations; and the Virginia Commission on Immigration; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones was sworn into office as the 79th Mayor of Richmond in 2009, and quickly gained the respect and support of the community as he worked diligently to empower and advocate for underprivileged citizens and led the city to embrace his vision for a productive and prosperous future; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones was recognized by his church and the city for 40 years of faithful pastoral service and more than 35 years of public service, and the congregants of First Baptist Church of South Richmond and the citizens of Richmond are indebted to him for his many years of committed leadership and compassionate service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones hereby be commended; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Dwight Clinton Jones as an expression of the General Assembly’s high regard for his exemplary service to his church, the Commonwealth, and the citizens of the City of Richmond.