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2012 SESSION

12105787D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 501
Offered March 2, 2012
Commending James D. Swinson.
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Patrons-- Comstock, Albo, Hugo, LeMunyon, Rust, and Scott, J.M.
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WHEREAS, James D. Swinson, who turned 100 on January 14, 2012, first entered public service as a young man; he was an outstanding public servant throughout his career and was dedicated to his country, county, family, and community; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the United States Marine Corps for 30 years, James “Jim” D. Swinson served at every rank from private to lieutenant colonel; he received his officer’s commission in 1941; he fought in the Pacific theater in World War II and in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the Marine Corps in 1957, Jim Swinson became interested in pursuing a career in local law enforcement; he had worked as a provost marshal while in the military, a position that made civilian law-enforcement work a natural progression; and

WHEREAS, in 1963 Jim Swinson was elected sheriff of Fairfax County; during his tenure, he emphasized a professional approach for all employees and he laid the groundwork for modernizing the office to meet the needs of a fast-growing and increasingly diverse community; and

WHEREAS, Jim Swinson served as Fairfax County Sheriff for 16 years, until 1980; during his four terms in office, he focused on streamlining procedures and worked diligently to ensure that the department functioned effectively as it provided crucial law-enforcement support in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, Jim Swinson retired after 50 years in the workplace, and he and his wife, Nancy, stayed active in the community; they were strong supporters of the Salvation Army, where he served for many years on the board of directors; and

WHEREAS, as chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board for two terms, Jim Swinson emphasized the importance of voter registration and the importance of free and fair elections to the effective functioning of government; and

WHEREAS, as a veteran, Jim Swinson remains loyal to the Marine Corps; he worked with fellow Marines to establish the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, not far from where he spent much of his career; and

WHEREAS, Jim Swinson, who currently lives in Oak Hill with his daughter and son-in-law, is a devoted family man; he has five children, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, and he gathered with family and friends to celebrate his 100th birthday; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend James D. Swinson on the occasion of his 100th birthday and for his century of public service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to James D. Swinson as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for a life of service to Fairfax County, the Commonwealth, and the country.