[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF DELEGATE CHARLES POINDEXTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2026

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my friend and former 
colleague of the Virginia House of Delegates, Delegate Charles 
Poindexter, who passed away on February 4, 2026, at the age of 83.
  Delegate Poindexter was born on February 27, 1942, in Roanoke, 
Virginia. His upbringing in rural Virginia included graduating from 
Franklin County High School. Delegate Poindexter's academic interests 
led him to nearby Lynchburg College, where he secured a Bachelor of 
Science Degree in Mathematics, before he earned a Master of Science 
Degree in Administration in Management from George Washington 
University.
  After developing strengths in these spaces, Delegate Poindexter 
maintained a very successful career as an IT systems engineer. His work 
is credited for supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and American intelligence 
systems.
  Later, Delegate Poindexter would return to his farming roots in 
Franklin County, where he would devote himself to the betterment of a 
community that his family called home for generations. His first 
venture in public office included eight years serving the Franklin 
County Board of Supervisors.
  In 2007, he won election to the House of Delegates. Through more than 
a decade in state government, Delegate Poindexter represented the rural 
communities of Franklin County, Henry County, and Patrick County.
  As Majority Leader of the House of Delegates, I enjoyed working with 
Delegate Poindexter. His service on the Agriculture Committee, where he 
shared his perspectives on critical issues pertaining to rural 
Virginia. He also served on the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, 
Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, and Appropriations 
Committee to help shape policy discussions and developments in 
Richmond.
  Additionally, Delegate Poindexter served his community in other ways. 
He regularly sang in the church choir at home and made contributions on 
the Board of Directors for the New College Institute in Martinsville, 
Virginia.
  Delegate Poindexter is survived by his loving and supportive wife, 
Janet.
  I join my House of Delegates friends and rural Virginia in mourning 
the loss of this dedicated public servant. As one Franklin County 
community member put it, Charles Poindexter's passing is a huge loss to 
Franklin County and the Commonwealth. May others who aspire to 
represent rural Virginia look to the exceptional service of Delegate 
Poindexter as a model of respect, dedication and conservatism.

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