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2008 SPECIAL SESSION II


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6038
Commending Ann Pesiri Swanson.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 24, 2008
Agreed to by the Senate, June 25, 2008

 

WHEREAS, Ann Pesiri Swanson, the executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, is recognized for her 20 years of outstanding public service to the conservation of Virginia’s natural resources and to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Ann Swanson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Vermont, earned a graduate degree in environmental science from Yale University, and served as board chair of the University of Vermont's School of Natural Resources Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Ann Swanson has served since 1988 as the executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative advisory authority composed of legislators, cabinet secretaries, and citizens from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, widely known for her expertise on matters regarding the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Ann Swanson has been a valuable asset in the development of conservation policy and legislation in Virginia and the region; and

WHEREAS, Ann Swanson assisted in the creation of the Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Committee in 1996, and under her leadership, key stakeholders and scientists were brought together to provide expert advice and coordination for managing the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab fisheries; and

WHEREAS, as a partner of the Chesapeake Bay Program and a significant contributor to the success of the 2000 Chesapeake Bay Agreement, Ann Swanson aided the development of a comprehensive framework for a watershed-wide ecosystem management strategy to restore the Bay and its living resources; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 Ann Swanson was instrumental in the establishment of the Chesapeake Bay Funders' Network, which is comprised of more than 100 philanthropic organizations that foster opportunities to collaborate on Bay and watershed restoration projects throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, Ann Swanson has worked on state and local levels to coordinate management of Bay issues and to successfully secure significant additional federal conservation funds for farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through the 2007 Federal Farm Bill; and

WHEREAS, receiving numerous awards and accolades for her many contributions over the years, Ann Swanson has been honored with the Chesapeake Executive Council Salute to Excellence Award in 1992 and 1999, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Conservationist of the Year in 2001, the Sierra Club Outstanding Achievement Award in 2004, and the University of Vermont Outstanding Alumni of the Year award in 1989 and 2007; and

WHEREAS, Ann Swanson’s strong and consistent commitment to conservation has helped to further Chesapeake Bay preservation efforts and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Virginia and the region; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Ann Pesiri Swanson for her 20 years of outstanding public service as executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ann Pesiri Swanson as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of her many achievements.