Bill Text: VA SJR288 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 288 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ288ER) [SJR288 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2019-SJR288-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 288 Commending the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 24, 2019 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 23, 2019

WHEREAS, in 1852, three Benedictine Sisters from Bavaria landed in New York to minister to the children of the German-speaking immigrants who had settled in western Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, in 1868, two sisters from St. Marys, Pennsylvania, journeyed to Richmond to teach the children of German immigrants and established a new priory that became St. Mary's of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, in 1894, the Benedictine Sisters established a new convent and school on the Linton Estate in the small community of Bristow in Prince William County, from which the substantial and beneficent Benedictine presence in Virginia has grown; and

WHEREAS, during the 150 years they have been in Virginia and the 125 years they have prospered in Prince William County, the Benedictine Sisters have staffed more than a dozen schools, including Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond and Linton Hall School in Bristow; and

WHEREAS, serving as educators, nurses, dietitians, parish administrators, and counselors, the Benedictine Sisters have touched the lives of countless Virginians; and

WHEREAS, the Benedictine Sisters have reached out to many others through such programs as the Benedictine Pastoral Center, Benedictine Counseling Services, BARN Community Housing, and BEACON for Adult Literacy; and

WHEREAS, for more than a century, the Benedictine Sisters have provided much-needed educational, social, and spiritual services to the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia for their 150 years of selfless and invaluable service to the citizens of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for their many contributions to the quality of life in the Commonwealth.