Bill Text: VA SJR229 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Charles Jones.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ229ER) [SJR229 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR229-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Charles Jones, born and raised in the Northern Neck, was first elected to the Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District in 2011 as a district director representing Westmoreland County and served as vice chairman of his local board; and
WHEREAS, Charles "Chip" Jones took on leadership roles serving the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) as an Executive Board member; he held the role of second vice president and first vice president before becoming VASWCD president in 2019; and
WHEREAS, during his term as president, Chip Jones served with distinction, leading the VASWCD to increase its outreach and advocacy work, including the representation of Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts on the Local Government Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Bay Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, Chip Jones received the Wilkinson Award, the highest honor awarded by the VASWCD, for his unselfish and dedicated acts and services that have furthered the conservation efforts of Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the VASWCD; and
WHEREAS, Chip Jones continues to highlight the work of the Commonwealth's conservation initiatives by serving in a leadership role for the VASWCD's nonprofit arm, the VASWCD Educational Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Chip Jones has expressed a deep appreciation and passion for community conservation, having also given his time to the Northern Neck Land Conservancy and the Northern Neck Farm Museum; and
WHEREAS, Chip Jones served as the farm manager and grist mill operator at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, promoting the farming and conservation heritage of the Northern Neck; and
WHEREAS, Chip Jones has provided exemplary service not only to conservation initiatives in Virginia but also to the nation, having served in the Virginia National Guard since 2001, including two deployments to Iraq, and risen to the rank of staff sergeant; and
WHEREAS, as an unpaid volunteer district director and past president of the VASWCD, Chip Jones embraced the mission of Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts by providing and promoting leadership in the conservation of natural resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles Jones on his exemplary service and dedication to Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles Jones as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for his public service and professionalism.