[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DELEGATE JAMES H. DILLARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Delegate 
James H. Dillard for over 21 years of dedicated service to the 
Commonwealth of Virginia.
  Delegate Dillard has served as Delegate to the Virginia General 
Assembly from 1972-1977 and then again from 1980-2005. Delegate Dillard 
represents the 41st District in central Fairfax County. He served in 
the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957 and received a B.A. from The 
College of William and Mary and a M.A. in Political Science from The 
American University.
  Delegate Dillard previously served as a Fairfax County teacher and 
principal and began his political career as a member of the Fairfax 
Education Association by working to establish a living wage for 
teachers in the 1960's. His strong interest in education led him to be 
one of the original architects of the Virginia Standards of Learning. 
Additionally, he was chief sponsor of legislation placing a guidance 
counselor in every elementary school, and has been recognized as 
National Legislator of the Year by the Guidance Counselors Association.
  As Chairman of the Natural Resources subcommittee of the House 
Appropriations Committee, Delegate Dillard initiated the largest growth 
in parks and conservation activities in Virginia's history. Delegate 
Dillard was the author and chief sponsor of the Virginia Soil and 
Siltation Act which protects streams and waterways from pollutants. He 
has also worked behind the scenes to ensure the development of the 
Leesylvania State Park sailing marina, one of the finest facilities of 
its kind on the Potomac River and has been recognized as Legislator of 
the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to 
Delegate Dillard on his retirement from the General Assembly. Through 
his long and distinguished career Delegate Dillard has touched the 
lives of countless Virginians. While I know that he will be greatly 
missed, his retirement is well deserved. I call upon my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Delegate Dillard and his wife Joyce. I wish them 
the best of luck in all future endeavors.

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