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2016 SESSION

16103834D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 351
Offered February 24, 2016
Commending the Honorable James Martin Scott.
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Patrons-- Simon, Howell, Aird, Albo, Anderson, Bagby, Bell, John J., Bell, Richard P., Bloxom, Boysko, Bulova, Byron, Campbell, Carr, Collins, Cox, Davis, Dudenhefer, Edmunds, Fariss, Farrell, Filler-Corn, Fowler, Garrett, Gilbert, Greason, Head, Helsel, Heretick, Herring, Hester, Hodges, Hope, Hugo, Ingram, James, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Krizek, Landes, LaRock, Leftwich, LeMunyon, Levine, Lindsey, Lingamfelter, Lopez, Marshall, D.W., Mason, Massie, McClellan, McQuinn, Miller, Minchew, Morefield, Morris, Murphy, O'Bannon, O'Quinn, Orrock, Peace, Pillion, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Price, Ransone, Rasoul, Robinson, Rush, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Sullivan, Taylor, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Villanueva, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt, Wright, Yancey and Yost; Senators: Barker, Black, Carrico, Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Howell, Marsden, McEachin, McPike, Norment, Petersen, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Sturtevant, Surovell, Vogel, Wagner and Wexton
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WHEREAS, the Honorable James Martin Scott, a consummate public servant who represented the residents of the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates, retired in 2014 after a lifetime of leadership to the Fairfax County community and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a native of Galax, James “Jim” Martin Scott was reared in Winchester and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree from George Mason University; and

WHEREAS, Jim Scott began his career as community organizer for the United Planning Organization, served as director of the Fairfax County Community Action Program, and worked as an educator in Fairfax County Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, having witnessed the results of racial inequality first hand, Jim Scott founded a research think tank, Washington Suburban Institute, which studied the causes of and antidotes to institutional racism in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, Jim Scott discovered the need for leadership to address the changes needed to build an inclusive community and sought public office; upon his election in 1971 as the Providence District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, he began his long and distinguished career in public service; and

WHEREAS, as a supervisor, Jim Scott championed education and anti-poverty efforts and played a critical role in drafting the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance; he was instrumental in the creation of the Office for Children and the implementation of the School Age Child Care program; and

WHEREAS, Jim Scott was also an active leader in regional organizations, such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Northern Virginia Regional Commission, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Metropolitan Washington Water Resources Planning Board; and

WHEREAS, after serving as the director of community affairs for Inova Health System, Jim Scott was desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth; in 1991, he ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he ably represented the residents of parts of Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church in the 53rd House District for 11 terms; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his 22-year career in state government, Jim Scott supported numerous important pieces of legislation related to anti-poverty programs, affordable housing, women’s rights, and other progressive issues; and

WHEREAS, Jim Scott introduced legislation to allow counties and cities to implement affordable dwelling ordinances and increase the availability of low-cost housing, and Fairfax County saw a decrease in homelessness thanks in part to his efforts; he also helped create the office of the Secretary of Technology in the Commonwealth and supported bills to increase the use of telework at state and federal levels; and

WHEREAS, during his career as a state legislator, Jim Scott offered his leadership and expertise to the Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety, and he later served on the Committees on Privileges and Elections and Appropriations; and

WHEREAS, Jim Scott earned numerous awards and accolades for his good work, and the James M. Scott Community Spirit award, presented annually during Celebrate Fairfax, is named in his honor; a man of great integrity, he served Fairfax County and the entire Commonwealth with the utmost professionalism, dedication, and distinction; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable James Martin Scott on the occasion of his retirement as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable James Martin Scott as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his more than 40 years of exceptional public service.