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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 892
Celebrating the life of Thomas E. Sawner.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2011

 

WHEREAS, Thomas E. Sawner, a retired flight commander and education specialist from Arlington, died on July 11, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Thomas “Tom” Sawner graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976 and later received his doctorate from The George Washington University; and

WHEREAS, a proud American patriot, Tom Sawner served in the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight commander, and flight instructor until his retirement in 1999; and

WHEREAS, in 1985 Tom Sawner received the Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Award, designating him as the Best Fighter Pilot in the United States Air Force, in acknowledgment of his outstanding performance as flight commander and instructor pilot with the 307th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from military duty, Tom Sawner and his wife, Bettina, created the Educational Options Foundation, for which he served as chairman, and the company EdOptions, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, committed to increasing high school students’ access to online education and classroom innovation, Tom Sawner admirably managed EdOptions, Inc., and the company received the 2006 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Best Small Business of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, Tom Sawner served as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Council on Small Business and was a vocal advocate in support of small business best practices; and

WHEREAS, as a dedicated leader to countless members of the Boy Scouts of America, Tom Sawner conducted the Aviation Merit Badge at the National Scout Jamboree for more than 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Sawner harnessed his enormous energies with a sharp focus and dedicated his life to leading and educating others; and

WHEREAS, Tom Sawner will be fondly remembered by his wife, Bettina, his children, and many family members, friends, and those he led and taught; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Thomas E. Sawner, retired flight commander and education specialist; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas E. Sawner as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.