HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.305
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership, offered the
following resolution:
1 A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Joseph P.
2 Swallow, former member of the House of Representatives.
3 Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the
4 House of Representatives learned about the passing of Joseph P.
5 Swallow. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant by his
6 constituents in the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan,
7 Montmorency, Oscoda, and Presque Isle, and the people of the State
8 of Michigan; and
9 Whereas, Joseph Swallow was proud of being part of the fourth
10 generation of his family to be born and raised in Northeast
11 Michigan, arriving into the world in his parent’s Alpena apartment
12 above his family’s hardware store - the very same hardware store he
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1 would spend his youth working in alongside his family; and
2 Whereas, Joseph Swallow earned a degree in accounting from
3 Central Michigan College, now known as Central Michigan University,
4 in 1955, where he was an active member of the Delta Sigma Phi
5 fraternity and a part of Central’s first graduating Army ROTC
6 class. His pride for his alma mater did not end upon his
7 graduation, and he served for several years on Central’s Alumni
8 Development Board, and he could often be spotted at homecomings and
9 other football games. Central’s ROTC program named Joseph Swallow
10 to their Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding career; and
11 Whereas, Joseph Swallow’s lifelong dedication to public
12 service began after his college graduation when he proudly served
13 his country during the Korean War. Working through the ranks from a
14 Second Lieutenant to the rank of Captain, Joseph Swallow earned
15 many medals and accolades during his time in the service, and he
16 remained a Reserve Officer until he was honorably discharged in
17 1965; and
18 Whereas, After leaving the service, Joseph Swallow found
19 himself in Detroit working as an accountant for J.L. Hudson Co. It
20 was during his time in Detroit that Joseph Swallow discovered a
21 passion for the law while he attended the Detroit College of Law at
22 night. Upon his graduation in 1961, his public service continued
23 when he returned home to Alpena and served as the Alpena County
24 Prosecuting Attorney from 1963 to 1964; and
25 Whereas, Joseph Swallow was first elected to the House of
26 Representatives in 1965, where he would serve his constituents with
27 distinction for four consecutive terms. Joseph Swallow quickly made
28 a name for himself in the state capitol where he always worked in
29 the best interests of his constituents, which included securing
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1 funding for local projects and fighting to halt legislation he
2 viewed as endangering small, rural communities. However, it was
3 Joseph Swallow’s ability to work and maintain relationships with
4 colleagues across the aisle that he is most remembered for; and
5 Whereas, In 1972, Joseph Swallow was elected to the position
6 of Circuit Court Judge for Michigan’s 26th Circuit Court, where he
7 served for 32 years, making him the longest tenured judge in the
8 Circuit’s history. While on the bench, Joseph Swallow continued
9 looking for ways in which he could serve his community, which
10 resulted in him assisting in the creation of a Joint Judicial
11 Commission, helping create the Public Defender’s Office, and being
12 an instrumental part of the creation of the Sunrise Center for
13 substance abuse treatment. His dedication and hard work earned him
14 a selection as one of Michigan’s Most Respected Judges by Michigan
15 Lawyer’s Weekly. Joseph Swallow retired from the bench in 2004; and
16 Whereas, Joseph Swallow’s commitment to his community did not
17 end in his professional capacity. Throughout his life, he dedicated
18 his time to a number of nonprofits, including helping to create
19 Luther Community Manor, which assists with affordable senior living
20 in Alpena, and championing causes that helped Northeast Michigan
21 and that aimed to preserve and improve the region’s natural
22 environment. During retirement, Joseph Swallow also enjoyed his
23 favorite pastimes, spending time boating, hiking, biking, and
24 skiing. He also continued his love of reading to satisfy his
25 seemingly insatiable thirst for knowledge; and
26 Whereas, Joseph Swallow is survived by his loving wife of 55
27 years, Jane, along with one daughter, three sons, six
28 grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and
29 Whereas, Upon Joseph Swallow’s passing, we offer our
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1 condolences to his loved ones. Joseph Swallow’s contributions to
2 this chamber and the State of Michigan will be remembered; now,
3 therefore, be it
4 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this
5 expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Joseph
6 Swallow, a member of the House of Representatives from 1965 to
7 1972; and be it further
8 Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the
9 Swallow family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.
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