WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Garland Stevenson, Sr., USA, Ret., who served honorably for 20 years with the United States Army before a distinguished career with the federal government, retired in July 2022; and
WHEREAS, a native of New Orleans, Garland Stevenson enlisted into the United States Army in 1988, attending basic training in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and advanced individual training as a motor transportation operator in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson was hand selected to receive a nominative position within the United States Army Signal Corps, which led him to pursue a career in information technology and earn a bachelor's degree in information systems with a concentration in homeland security; he would ultimately retire from the United States Army in 2009 as a sergeant first class with 20 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson's military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon; during his career, he was notably selected to represent the All-Army boxing team; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson formerly served as a branch chief for the Department of the Army, where his responsibilities included ensuring unauthorized websites were not accessed on government-furnished equipment; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson served as a security operations center analyst with the Environmental Protection Agency from February 2012 until his retirement in 2022, overseeing the agency's eDiscovery service and the forensic collection of digital information and data to support reports used in the agency's litigation; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson has given generously of his time by spearheading Christmas toy drives and initiatives to feed the homeless, volunteering at the Eleanor U. Kennedy Shelter in Fort Belvoir, and coordinating back-to-school drives for families in his community in need; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson is the owner and chief executive officer of New Orleans Style Snowballs and Daiquiris, providing an authentic taste of New Orleans to communities in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia since 2007; and
WHEREAS, Garland Stevenson has been supported throughout his career by his loving wife, Shayla, and his children, Shantell, Gabrielle, Garland, Marissa, Max, and Micah, and looks forward to spending more quality time with them in his retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Sergeant First Class Garland Stevenson, Sr., USA, Ret., hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement from the federal government; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sergeant First Class Garland Stevenson, Sr., USA, Ret., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his service to the country and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.