HR 2173 — Celebrating the life of Bernard L. Henderson, Jr.

+ 2026 SPECIAL SESSION I + INTRODUCED+ + ENROLLED + + 26200277D+ I HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.

2173 OfferedE June+ 21,+ 2026 N Celebrating+elebrating the life of Bernard L.

—————+ TR Patrons—Carr,+ LeVere+ Bolling,O Nivar,Agreed Willett,to Bulova,by Cousins,the Hope,House Krizek,of Lopez,Delegates, McQuinn,June Schmidt,22, R2026 WardL and Watts O ————— D WHEREAS, Bernard L.

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

Henderson, Jr., graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in CD Richmond and earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Old Dominion University;

he also later E completed post-graduate programs at the University of Virginia and the John F.

and D WHEREAS, Bernie Henderson was interested in politics from a young age and supported and managed a number of Democratic campaigns over the years;

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

and 2 WHEREAS, upon graduating, Bernie Henderson briefly served as an administrator of the Virginia Bureau 7 of Insurance, then was an assistant to the commissioners of the State Corporation Commission for eight HE years;

and R 23 WHEREAS, in recognition of his leadership and expertise, Bernie Henderson was appointed director of 7 the Virginia Department of Commerce by Governor Chuck Robb, then director of the Virginia Department of 3 Health Professions by Governor Gerald Baliles, a position he was then reappointed to by Governor L.

and :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;

34then, WHEREAS,following afterthe leavingacquisition governmentof serviceNelsen inFuneral 2010,Home Berniein Henderson2017, joinedhe Woodyserved Funeral Home as 35chief itsexecutive directorofficer forof familyall andsix communityWoody relations and becameNelsen thelocations company'sbefore becoming president fiveemeritus; years later;

then,and 36WHEREAS, followingin addition to gubernatorial appointments to the acquisitionVirginia War Memorial Board, the Virginia Conflict of NelsenInterest Funeraland HomeEthics inAdvisory 2017,Council, heand the Board of Pharmacy, Bernie Henderson served his community as chiefpresident executiveof officerRichmond First, the Shepherd's Center of allRichmond, sixand 37Jewish WoodyFamily Services of Richmond and Nelsenon locationsboards beforeof becomingorganizations presidentsuch emeritus;as the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia, and the Capital Area Agency on Aging;

and 38 WHEREAS, in addition to gubernatorial appointments to the Virginia War Memorial Board, the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, and the Board of Pharmacy, Bernie Henderson served his community as president of Richmond First, the Shepherd's Center of Richmond, and Jewish Family Services of Richmond and on boards of organizations such as the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia, and the Capital Area Agency on Aging;

HR2173 2 of 2 Henderson, Jr., a treasured member of the Richmond community whose lifetime of service will forever of 2 inspire all who knew him;