2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 144
Commending Andrew Billingsley, Ph.D.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 2, 2026
WHEREAS, Andrew Billingsley, Ph.D., an eminent scholar, educator, author, and higher education leader of national distinction, celebrates the remarkable milestone of his 100th birthday in 2026, marking a century of extraordinary contributions to academia, public service, and the advancement of knowledge; and
WHEREAS, born in 1926, Andrew Billingsley devoted his life to expanding educational opportunity and understanding the social dynamics of American communities, particularly through his pioneering scholarship on African American families, social structures, and community resilience; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Billingsley served with distinction as president of Morgan State University from 1975 to 1984, where his visionary leadership strengthened academic programs, expanded institutional capacity, and elevated the university's national reputation as a premier historically Black institution of higher education; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Andrew Billingsley held faculty and leadership positions at Howard University, the University of Maryland, and other esteemed institutions, mentoring countless students and shaping generations of scholars, educators, and leaders; and
WHEREAS, as an accomplished author, Andrew Billingsley produced numerous influential publications that deepened the nation's understanding of family systems, community development, and the social forces shaping American life, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Billingsley's life reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence, equity, and service, embodying the highest ideals of scholarship and civic responsibility; and