2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 242
Celebrating the life of the Honorable William T. Newman, Jr.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, the Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., a public servant who broke down racial barriers in Arlington County, an esteemed jurist who presided over the 17th Judicial Circuit of Virginia for 30 years, and a trusted community leader who touched countless lives through his vision, integrity, and commitment to excellence, died on February 10, 2026; and
WHEREAS, a proud, lifelong resident of Arlington, William Newman grew up in the Green Valley neighborhood during segregation and experienced racial discrimination firsthand in his youth, which shaped his commitment to justice and fairness under the law; he attended the segregated Hoffman-Boston School before graduating from Wakefield High School in 1968; and
WHEREAS, William Newman earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1972, then worked as an actor to support himself while pursuing a legal degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law; and
WHEREAS, William Newman worked as a staff trademark attorney with the U.S. Department of Commerce from 1977 to 1980, then entered private practice and became a partner in the firm Carpenter, Newman, Martin, Berkowitz and Garnes; he worked diligently to advance the legal profession in the region and established the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys' Association in 1983; and
WHEREAS, in 1987, William Newman made history when he was elected as the first Black member of the Arlington County Board since its establishment, then became the first Black chair of the Arlington County Board in 1991; during his tenure in local government, he established the Arlington County Human Rights Commission and was a passionate advocate for public safety and resources to help members of the community overcome drug abuse; and