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2024 SESSION

24104765D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 186
Offered February 22, 2024
Commending the Honorable Roxann Robinson.
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Patrons-- Earley, Gardner, Arnold, Ballard, Batten, Bennett-Parker, Bloxom, Bulova, Campbell, Carr, Cherry, Clark, Cole, Convirs-Fowler, Cordoza, Cousins, Coyner, Ennis, Freitas, Gilbert, Green, Griffin, Hayes, Henson, Hernandez, Herring, Higgins, Hodges, Hope, Jones, Kilgore, Knight, Leftwich, Lopez, Marshall, Martinez, McNamara, McQuinn, Mundon King, O'Quinn, Oates, Obenshain, Orrock, Reid, Runion, Scott, P.A., Sewell, Sickles, Simonds, Srinivasan, Sullivan, Tata, Taylor, Wachsmann, Walker, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wiley, Willett, Williams, Wilt, Wright and Wyatt
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WHEREAS, the Honorable Roxann Robinson was elected to represent the residents of Chesterfield County in the 27th District through a special election in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson took her spirit of serving others to the oldest continuing legislative body in the western hemisphere and represented the citizens of Chesterfield County for 14 distinguished years as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson began her career serving the public as an optometrist based in Chesterfield County, providing health care to thousands of residents all over the Richmond region for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, as a health care provider and optometrist, Delegate Robinson donated and participated in several initiatives to provide reduced or free eye care to vulnerable populations, including serving as clinical director for the Special Olympics’ Opening Eyes program, which provided quality eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, and sports goggles to Special Olympians; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson served as president of both the Virginia Optometric Association and the Virginia Academy of Optometry; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson served on the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority Board of Directors, utilizing her decades of experience in the medical field in both positions to promote health and wellness in society from childhood through adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson valued community service immensely, serving as president of the Rotary Club of James River and on the boards of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority and the Manchester YMCA Board of Directors, as well as on many other boards and charitable organizations; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson proudly served as chair of the House Science and Technology Committee from 2018 to 2020 and chair of the House Finance Committee from 2022 to 2024; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson introduced and oversaw passage of legislation during the 2018 Session of the General Assembly that allowed for nurse practitioners to practice autonomously and expanded health care access to tens of thousands of Virginians; and

WHEREAS, as a state lawmaker, Delegate Robinson authored a resolution which recognized the month of May as Women’s Maternal Mental Health Month in an effort to raise awareness of psychological effects that pregnancy, labor, and early childcare can have on a mother; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson successfully amended state law to allow local school divisions to make important decisions regarding the start of their academic year; and

WHEREAS, as chair of the Finance Committee, Delegate Robinson oversaw $4 billion in tax cuts supported by Governor Glenn Youngkin and a bipartisan majority of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce recognized Delegate Robinson with its Lifetime Achievement Award for her longtime dedication and service to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson developed a reputation for designing and lovingly hand making beautiful quilts that she regularly gifted to friends and colleagues and provided to civic organizations as a way for them to raise funds for the important work they performed in the community; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson always worked hand in hand with Chesterfield County elected and appointed officials, helping to achieve legislative successes for the residents of her district and for all residents of Chesterfield County; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson was a mentor, both officially and unofficially, to so many individuals who served and continue to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates, graciously and freely providing her counsel to train and inspire the next generation of leaders; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson’s commitment to public service as a champion for the residents of Chesterfield County guided her actions during her tenure in the Virginia General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, all citizens of the Commonwealth benefited from the leadership and service displayed by Delegate Robinson on many issues, notably in education, health, transportation, and business policies; and

WHEREAS, Delegate Robinson will always be known and remembered for her respect for, and devotion to, the institutions of the Virginia House of Delegates and the General Assembly, her willingness to work with those across the aisle for the betterment of her constituents, and the citizens of the Commonwealth, and her genuine desire to leave her district and the Commonwealth better than when she entered public service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Honorable Roxann Robinson hereby be commended for her many achievements on behalf of the residents of Chesterfield County and the Commonwealth on the occasion of her retirement from public office; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Roxann Robinson as an expression of the House of Delegates’ appreciation and gratitude for her tenure of distinguished service and contributions to the Commonwealth.