Bill Text: VA HJR280 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Reverend Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-03 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ280ER) [HJR280 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HJR280-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Reverend Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, esteemed pastor of Riverview Baptist Church in Richmond, who has provided enlightened and edifying spiritual leadership to his congregation for nearly 20 years, will retire in March 2022; and
WHEREAS, a product of Chesterfield County Public Schools, Stephen Hewlett enlisted with the United States Marine Corps before attending college, serving his country with valor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, following his honorable discharge, Stephen Hewlett graduated with honors from Virginia State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and subsequently earned a master's degree in divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and a doctorate of jurisprudence from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Hewlett pursued his educational opportunities with great energy and a sense of purpose, managing his course loads while working other jobs and raising a young family; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining Riverview Baptist Church, Stephen Hewlett imparted his studied and inspired spiritual guidance to various congregations as an associate minister at Union Grove Baptist Church in Petersburg, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Houston, and Second Baptist Church in Chester and as pastor of Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Varina; and
WHEREAS, Stephen Hewlett was installed as the eighth pastor of Riverview Baptist Church on April 13, 2003, and has contributed mightily to the congregation's ministries, community outreach, and other spiritual endeavors ever since; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his service as a pastor, Stephen Hewlett previously served as a moderator of the Shiloh Baptist Association and has worked since 1991 as a criminal defense attorney, ensuring his clients receive fair and equitable treatment before the law; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, Stephen Hewlett will enjoy more time to spend with his loving wife, Linda, as well as his four children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Reverend Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, a respected pastor and attorney, on the occasion of his retirement from full-time ministerial duties at Riverview Baptist Church; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his contributions to the Commonwealth.
