WHEREAS, Karen Cardwell, who has served the citizens of Chesterfield County with great diligence and responsibility as an employee of the Chesterfield County General District Court Clerk's Office for more than four decades, retires on March 1, 2015; and WHEREAS, Karen Cardwell's entire professional career has been in service to the people of Chesterfield County and the Commonwealth; she began working for the General District Court Clerk's Office on January 12, 1973; and WHEREAS, the Chesterfield County General District Court Clerk's Office has been Karen Cardwell's only employer; during her 42 years of service to Chesterfield County, the hallmark of her work has been her exemplary diligence and outstanding work ethic; and WHEREAS, with great dedication, loyalty, and presence, Karen Cardwell has been an invaluable employee of the Chesterfield County General District Court Clerk's Office; her efficiency and conscientious work ethic have aided in the smooth operation of what is often a busy hub of court-related activity; and WHEREAS, the work of a clerk's office is a vital component of an effective judicial system, helping to ensure that every person who appears in court receives fair treatment and that the records in each and every case are handled properly; Karen Cardwell has spent her career in service to these bedrock principles; and WHEREAS, many people come in contact with the Chesterfield County General District Court Clerk's Office each year, and Karen Cardwell's skills and dedication have contributed to seeing that the Clerk's Office handles its workload capably and efficiently; and WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Karen Cardwell has overseen the records of numerous civil and criminal cases and has ably served several judges of the 12th Judicial District of Virginia as the population of Chesterfield County grew and the court's workload increased; and WHEREAS, during her tenure, Karen Cardwell has overseen many significant historical milestones and adapted to changes in technology and procedures, helping to guide the Chesterfield County General District Court forward; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Karen Cardwell, who has been an exemplary employee of the Chesterfield County General District Court Clerk's Office for 42 years, hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement in 2015; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Karen Cardwell as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect and admiration for her many years of service to the people of Chesterfield County and the Commonwealth. |