Virginia SR 7: James Solomon Russell Day; designating as March 28, 2020, and each succeeding year thereafter.

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2020 SESSION

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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7 

Designating March 28, in 2020 and in each succeeding year, as 
James Solomon Russell Day in Virginia. 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 11, 2020 

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell was born into slavery on the 
Hendrick Plantation near Palmer Springs in Mecklenburg County on December 5, 
1857; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell learned the value of hard work 
at a young age, growing up under poverty conditions with his mother on the 
farm; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell enrolled in Hampton Normal and 
Agricultural Institute in 1874 and supported his family by working as a teacher 
for local children; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell's education was interrupted 
when he ran out of funds and had to return home to work on the farm, but he 
ultimately succeeded in receiving his teaching license; and

WHEREAS, while teaching with the Book of Common Prayer, James 
Solomon Russell became interested in the Episcopal Church; Pattie Buford of 
Brunswick County recognized his talents and recommended that he attend the St. 
Stephen�s School for Colored Missionary Training in Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell built his first church in 
Palmer Springs while in seminary school in 1879; he was ordained in 1882 and 
sent to Lawrenceville to pastor a colored congregation meeting at St. Andrew�s 
Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, in 1882, James Solomon Russell began opening schools 
and senior housing for the poor in the area, in addition to opening nine new 
parishes; and

WHEREAS, in 1888, James Solomon Russell began preparation for 
a higher learning institution that eventually became Saint Paul�s College; he 
started with a two-room school called the Saul Building and helped the 
institution grow to a campus of 35 buildings, 50 faculty members, and 800 
students; and

WHEREAS, in 1893, James Solomon Russell was named the 
archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, overseeing more than 
30 churches representing thousands of congregants; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell received two 
doctoral degrees and was twice selected as bishop, an appointment he declined; 
and

WHEREAS, in 1929, James Solomon Russell was honored with the 
William E. Harmon Foundation�s gold medal award for his achievements; and

WHEREAS, James Solomon Russell died on March 28, 1935; in 
recognition of his exceptional accomplishments as a faith leader, James Solomon 
Russell was canonized as a local saint by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern 
Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That March 28, in 2020 and 
in each succeeding year, be designated as James Solomon Russell Day in 
Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy 
of this resolution to the family of James Solomon Russell so that they may be 
apprised of the sense of the Senate of Virg