Scott Swisher
Scott Swisher (July 15, 1919 - February 6, 1972) was an Iowan lawyer and politician who served five terms in the Iowa House of Representatives.
Early life
[edit]Swisher was born on July 15, 1919, in Iowa City, Iowa to Ingalls and Geneva Hanna Swisher. The Swishers had at least one other child, a son named Robert.[1]
After graduating from Iowa City's public schools, Scott attended the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942. He then proceeded to the University of Iowa College of Law and received his law degree the next year.
Career
[edit]Representing Johnson County, Iowa, Swisher was first elected as a Democratic State Representative in 1955. He continued to serve until 1964 in the Fifty-Sixth, Fifty-Seventh, Fifty-Eighth, Fifty-Ninth, and Sixtieth Sessions of the Iowa General Assembly.[2]
Swisher's accomplishments during his career in politics included:[2]
- Minority Floor Leader from 1956 to 1958
- Outstanding State Representative in 1959 by members of the media who covered legislative affairs
- Budget and Financial Control Committee member from 1959 to 1963
- Governor's Board of Penal Affairs member
He was twice a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and served on the Democratic national platform committee in 1960.
Other activities
[edit]In addition to his work in politics, Swisher was a practicing attorney at a law firm called Swisher and Swisher in Iowa City.
He held office or membership in many organizations. At various times, he served as:[1]
- President of the Johnson County Bar Association
- Member of the Iowa and American Bar Associations
- Provincial president of Phi Delta Phi
- Member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Scholastic Society
- Member of Rotary International, The Elks, The Loyal Order of Moose, The Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Phi Kappa Psi, and the Knights of Pythias
- Member of the Iowa Historical Society
- Member of the University of Iowa Alumni Association
- Member of the First Presbyterian Church
Personal life
[edit]In 1943, Swisher married Nancy J. IlgenFritz. They had a son, Scott, and a daughter, Sarah.
In 1972, at age 52, Swisher suffered a heart attack. He was taken to University Hospital in Iowa City, where he died on February 6. Nancy and both children (as well as Scott's brother Robert) survived him.[1]
After Swisher's death, the Iowa State Legislature read a proclamation that concluded:
"Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-fourth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable Scott Swisher, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this resolution would express its appreciation of his service, and tender its sympathy to the members of his family."[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Johnston, Joseph C.; Small, Jr., Arthur A.; Dunton, Keith H. (1972). "Representative Scott Swisher". legis.iowa.gov. Iowa State Legislature General Assembly. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ a b State, Iowa Secretary of (1961-01-01). Official Register. Iowa General Assembly.