Bill Text: VA SJR213 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Richard A. Stewart.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-07 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ213ER) [SJR213 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR213-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Richard A. Stewart, a passionate local historian who founded the Pocahontas Island Black History Museum and a devoted advocate for the Petersburg community, died on April 13, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Richard Stewart was born and raised on Pocahontas Island, a historic district in Petersburg that was the first predominately free Black community in the Commonwealth prior to the Civil War and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad; and
WHEREAS, Richard Stewart served the nation as a member of the military for several years, with postings around the country and the world; after his honorable discharge, he passed the civil service exam and joined what is now known as Defense Supply Center Richmond, where he worked for 41 years and made lifelong friendships; and
WHEREAS, known to many in the Petersburg community as "Uncle Richard," Richard Stewart worked diligently to give a voice to people in need and supported efforts to enhance the quality of life for all Petersburg residents; and
WHEREAS, Richard Stewart was well known for his service to Pocahontas Island residents after an F4 tornado heavily damaged more than 80 percent of the homes in the neighborhood and caused numerous injuries in August 1993; he fostered strong ties between Pocahontas Island and the rest of Petersburg to help the community recover; and
WHEREAS, a champion for the teaching of Black American history, Richard Stewart led efforts to rename a street on Pocahontas Island for Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first president of Liberia, who had once visited the area; and
WHEREAS, Richard Stewart subsequently founded the Pocahontas Island Black History Museum at his house on Witten Street in 2003; the museum is home to a treasure trove of artifacts and stories, offering interpretation on the life of Pocahontas, the history of Petersburg, the Atlantic slave trade, the Underground Railroad, and more; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his service and achievements, the City of Petersburg bestowed upon Richard Stewart the honorary title "Mayor of Pocahontas Island"; and
WHEREAS, Richard Stewart will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Cynthia, and her family; his partner, Amanda; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard A. Stewart, a pillar of the community in Petersburg; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard A. Stewart as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
