SR 2044 — Celebrating the life of Bernard L. Henderson, Jr.

+ 2026 SPECIAL SESSION I + INTRODUCED+ + ENROLLED + + 26200236D+ I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

2044 OfferedE June+ 18,+ 2026 N Celebrating+elebrating the life of Bernard L.

—————+ T Patrons—VanValkenburg, Bagby, Aird, Bennett-Parker, Boysko, Carroll Foy, Deeds, Favola, Jones, Locke, R Lucas,+ Marsden,+ McPike,O Pekarsky,Agreed Perry,to Roem,by Rouse,the Salim,Senate, Srinivasan,June Surovell22, and2026 WilliamsL O Graves D ————— WHEREAS, Bernard L.

Henderson, Jr., a beloved member of the Richmond community who dedicated UL his career to government service and held high-ranking positions with several gubernatorial administrations, E died on June 8, 2026;

and C WHEREAS, Bernard “Bernie” Henderson graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond ED and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Old Dominion University;

Kennedy School of Government at Harvard D University;

and WHEREAS, Bernie Henderson began his career in government in high school as a legislative assistant at the General Assembly, and he was a member of the staff of the Clerk of the United States House of S R Representatives, W.

and 0 WHEREAS, upon graduating, Bernie Henderson briefly served as an administrator of the Virginia Bureau S4 of Insurance, then was an assistant to the commissioners of the State Corporation Commission for eight RE 22 years;

and 4R WHEREAS, in recognition of his leadership and expertise, Bernie Henderson was appointed director of 4 the Virginia Department of Commerce by Governor Chuck Robb, then director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions by Governor Gerald Baliles, a position he was then reappointed to by Governor L.

and WHEREAS, Bernie Henderson returned to government service when appointed Senior Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth by Governor Mark Warner, a position he also held during Governor Tim Kaine's administration, when he also served as interim Secretary of the Commonwealth and acting Associate Chief of :Staff;

33and Staff;WHEREAS, after leaving government service in 2010, Bernie Henderson joined Woody Funeral Home as its director for family and community relations and became the company's president five years later;

andthen, 34following WHEREAS,the afteracquisition leavingof governmentNelsen serviceFuneral Home in 2010,2017, Berniehe Hendersonserved joined Woody Funeral Home as 35chief itsexecutive directorofficer forof familyall andsix communityWoody relations and becameNelsen thelocations company'sbefore becoming president fiveemeritus; years later;

then, 36 following the acquisition of Nelsen Funeral Home in 2017, he served as chief executive officer of all six 37 Woody and Nelsen locations before becoming president emeritus;

now, therefore, be it SR2044 2 of 2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Bernard L.

Henderson, Jr., a treasured member of the Richmond community whose lifetime of service will forever of 2 inspire all who knew him;