Bill Text: TX HR207 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of James Nolen Swafford of Grand Prairie.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-03-23 - Reported enrolled [HR207 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HR207-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 207 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The passing of Deputy Mayor Pro Tem James Nolen | ||
| Swafford on December 1, 2020, at the age of 84, has brought great | ||
| sadness to his loved ones and to his many friends in the Grand | ||
| Prairie community; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Jim Swafford was born in Oklahoma City on July 21, | ||
| 1936, to Nolen and Bernice Swafford; a member of the Class of 1955 | ||
| at Arlington High School, he went on to graduate from The University | ||
| of Texas at Arlington and the Southwestern Graduate School of | ||
| Banking at Southern Methodist University; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Swafford enjoyed a rewarding career in the | ||
| banking industry before retiring as president and CEO of | ||
| NationsBank/Bank of America in 1996; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Dedicated to the betterment of Grand Prairie, | ||
| Mr. Swafford was a member of the city council from 1977 to 1979 and | ||
| was elected to the District 2 seat in 1998; he served as mayor pro | ||
| tem for five terms, and he was known for his sharp analytical skills | ||
| and adept handling of the budget process; his other leadership | ||
| positions included vice president of the Grand Prairie Sports | ||
| Facilities Development Corporation, and he worked in support of the | ||
| Tax Increment Financing Districts; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Swafford was a longtime board member of the | ||
| Methodist Health System in Dallas; moreover, he presided over the | ||
| Grand Prairie Independent School District Board of Trustees and the | ||
| Grand Prairie Quality of Life Foundation; he was also involved with | ||
| many civic organizations, and he belonged to the DeMolay Legion of | ||
| Honor; twice recognized as the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce | ||
| Member of the Year, he was named Citizen of the Year in 1996 and | ||
| received the chamber's Zeus Award two years later; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Swafford drew strength | ||
| from the love and support of his wife of nearly six decades, the | ||
| former Judy Gipson, who preceded him in death; he was the devoted | ||
| father of two children, Robert and Renea, and he also took great | ||
| pride in his grandchildren, Jane Anne and Johnson, and | ||
| great-grandchildren, Graham and Colby; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Warm and compassionate, Jim Swafford was a devoted | ||
| family man and a significant asset to his community, and his | ||
| commitment to his loved ones and to Grand Prairie will be remembered | ||
| and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of James Nolen Swafford | ||
| and extend sincere condolences to his relatives and friends; and, | ||
| be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of | ||
| Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jim | ||
| Swafford. | ||
| Meza | ||
| Turner of Tarrant | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 207 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
