State of Vermont

House of Representatives Montpelier, Vermont Concurrent House Resolution H.C.R. 318 House concurrent resolution congratulating former Windham County Sheriff William A. Graham and his wife, former Representative Phyllis A. Graham, on their 50th wedding anniversary Offered by: Representatives Mrowicki of Putney, Deen of Westminster, Edwards of Brattleboro, Marek of Newfane, Moran of Wardsboro, Obuchowski of Rockingham and O'Donnell of Vernon Offered by: Senators Shumlin and White Whereas, William and Phyllis Graham dedicated much of their lives to serving the citizens of Windham County and the state of Vermont, and Whereas, William Graham joined the Vermont state police as an entry level trooper in 1954, remaining on the force for nine years before moving to the post-arrest side of the criminal justice system and becoming a probation officer, and Whereas, following nearly seven years of William Graham’s excellent work in this position, in 1969 Governor Deane Davis appointed William Graham to the office of Windham County sheriff, and Whereas, the voters of Windham County concurred with Governor Davis in his choice for their sheriff, as William Graham was always reelected when his name appeared on the ballot and he remained on the job for 33 years, and Whereas, when William Graham was appointed, he was the department’s only full-time employee, and at the time of his retirement in 2002, there were 20 full-time deputies and 16 part-time deputies in Windham County, and Whereas, William Graham’s leadership was the driving force in the establishment of the Windham County sheriff’s department as a modern and highly respected law enforcement agency, and Whereas, his wife, Phyllis Graham, also has a strong interest in public service, and Whereas, during the 1970s, she served as a public representative on the employment security advisory council, and Whereas, Phyllis Graham’s service on the council increased her interest in state government, and in 1983, Governor Richard Snelling appointed her to the open Windham-1 seat in the House of Representatives, where she served her constituency diligently and was a member of the committee on energy, and Whereas, in 2008, William and Phyllis Graham celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and this is a special occasion in their lives and those of their family, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: That the general assembly congratulates former Windham County Sheriff William Graham and his wife, former Representative Phyllis Graham, on their 50th wedding anniversary, and be it further Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to William and Phyllis Graham in Putney.

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