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2019 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 663
Commending Clay Jenkinson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 14, 2019
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2019

 

WHEREAS, Clay Jenkinson, a well-known and recognized humanities scholar, author, and speaker, has promoted the importance of civil discourse, historical literacy, and enlightenment through his masterful portrayal of the esteemed Thomas Jefferson on his national radio show The Thomas Jefferson Hour on PBS; and

WHEREAS, Clay Jenkinson’s national radio show aims to elevate discourse about the important issues of the day through the voice of the third President of the United States and one of Virginia’s most beloved sons, Thomas Jefferson, in an informative, unique, and entertaining way; and

WHEREAS, in order to further spread understanding of Thomas Jefferson, Clay Jenkinson wrote the books Thomas Jefferson: The Man of Light and Becoming Jefferson’s People and, as cofounder of the modern Chautauqua movement, portrayed historical characters for audiences, including Thomas Jefferson, to further impart the story of Thomas Jefferson and the concepts he espoused of building a nation of equality, justice, and cultural achievement; and

WHEREAS, Clay Jenkinson grew up on the western plains of North Dakota, studying at the University of Minnesota, Oxford University, and the University of Colorado and earning degrees in Renaissance English Literature; he currently resides in Bismarck, North Dakota, and serves as a humanities scholar at both the University of Mary and Dickinson State University and as CEO of Dakota Sky Education, Inc., as a historical performer, writer, and lecturer from 2000 to the present; and

WHEREAS, Clay Jenkinson’s work explaining, portraying, researching, and writing about Thomas Jefferson and other notable Americans has earned him an invitation to the White House from prior Presidential administrations, as well as numerous awards, including the National Humanities Medal, the highest honor conferred on a public humanities scholar in the United States of America; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Clay Jenkinson for introducing one of Virginia’s most beloved historical figures to an entire new generation of Americans and for promoting historical literacy through his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson on The Thomas Jefferson Hour radio show; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Clay Jenkinson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect on behalf of Virginia for his work both in elevating our civil discourse and in highlighting the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson.