HJR 119

Commending the John M. Langston School.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, in 1925, the John M. Langston School was established as the only elementary school for Black children in North Arlington's Hall's Hill neighborhood during segregation and subsequently provided an outstanding education to generations of local students; and
WHEREAS, during the early 20th century, segregated schools in the Commonwealth and across the southern United States failed to provide adequate educational opportunities for Black students, prompting the residents of Hall's Hill in Arlington County to advocate vigorously for the construction of a proper school building for their children; and
WHEREAS, the Langston School was ultimately established with assistance from the Rosenwald Fund, a groundbreaking collaboration between Booker T. Washington and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald that supported the construction of nearly 5,000 schools across the South and educated nearly one-third of the Black students in the United States at the time; and
WHEREAS, the Rosenwald Fund required financial contributions from the local Black community, cooperation from local government, and a commitment from the local school board to operate and maintain the school, demonstrating a unique model of public-private-community partnership; and
WHEREAS, local residents raised $500 to support this effort, and on August 15, 1924, Arlington County opened bids for construction of the Langston School, which officially opened in November 1925; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its history, the Langston School served as a vital educational institution and a cornerstone of community pride, producing students who went on to shape progress in civil rights and educational equity, including four who played a pivotal role in the racial integration of Virginia schools; and
WHEREAS, the Langston School served as a foundational institution in Arlington County's journey toward educational equity and desegregation; and
WHEREAS, the 100th anniversary of the Langston School commemorates not only the building of a school but also the resilience, advocacy, and sacrifices of Arlington's Black community and its commitment to quality education that laid a strong foundation for the success of future generations; and
WHEREAS, the John M. Langston Citizens Association, in partnership with Arlington Public Schools, will host a centennial celebration for the Langston School on September 27, 2025, highlighting the period from 1925 to 1966 and featuring community reflections, a keynote address, historical displays, and tributes to former educators by students and community leaders whose lives were shaped by the Langston School experience; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the John M. Langston School on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the John M. Langston Citizens Association as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the John M. Langston School's legacy of academic excellence, resilience, and cultural significance.