LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable R. James Nicholson,
Principal Speaker at the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn's 110th Anniversary
Dinner on February 4, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service to their community, their faith, and their profession; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend The Honor-
able R. James Nicholson as he is honored as the Principal Speaker at the
Cathedral Club of Brooklyn's 110th Anniversary Dinner, to be held at the
Grand Ballroom, New York Hilton Hotel, on Thursday, February 4, 2010;
and
WHEREAS, Currently Senior Counsel for the law firm of Brownstein Hyatt
Farber Schreck, R. James "Jim" Nicholson, is a former Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and United States Ambassador to the Holy See; and
WHEREAS, As Secretary of Veterans Affairs from February 2005 through
September 2007, James Nicholson was the principal advocate for veterans
in the U.S. government, ensuring that they received the care, support,
recognition and dignity they deserve for their service to our country;
and
WHEREAS, As VA Secretary, James Nicholson also directed the federal
government's second largest Cabinet Department, employing over 240,000
people and responsible for a nationwide system of hospitals, healthcare
clinics, benefit programs, and national cemeteries for America's 25
million veterans; and
WHEREAS, Prior to serving in the Cabinet, James Nicholson served as
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See from 2001 to 2005; in that position he
became a well-known advocate in Rome for the elevation of human dignity,
giving special emphasis to human trafficking, religious freedom, starva-
tion and bio-tech food, HIV-AIDS, and international terrorism and was
knighted by Pope John Paul II in October 2003 for his work representing
the United States at the Vatican; and
WHEREAS, James Nicholson was born in 1938 and grew up in a family of
seven children on a tenant farm in northwest Iowa; he is a 1961 graduate
of the United States Military Academy at West Point; he served eight
years on active duty as a paratrooper and Ranger, then 22 years in the
Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel; while serving in Viet-
nam, he earned a Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious
Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and two Air
Medals; and
WHEREAS, He earned a master's degree from Columbia University and a
law degree from the University of Denver; he practiced law in Denver,
specializing in real estate, municipal finance, and zoning law; in 1978
he founded Nicholson Enterprises, Inc., a developer of master planned
residential communities, and in 1987 he bought Renaissance Homes, which
under his leadership became an award-winning builder of quality custom
homes; and
WHEREAS, James Nicholson has been awarded seven honorary doctoral
degrees and, in 2005, was named a Distinguished Graduate of his alma
mater, West Point; he has been active in political affairs on the state
and national levels and currently serves on the Board of Directors of
the Federated Investors Fund, the Daniels Fund, and the Horatio Alger
Association; he is, in addition, a member of the Advisory Board of
Capgemini North America and a Fellow at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce;
and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former Suzanne
Marie Ferrell of Highland Falls, New York, an accomplished artist, and
their three children, all of whom are proud to be part of his life and
rejoice in his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which The Honorable R. James Nicholson has
displayed throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such achievement are brought to our attention, it is appropriate
to proclaim and commend them for the edification and emulation of
others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Honorable R. James Nicholson as he is honored as the Princi-
pal Speaker at the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn's 110th Anniversary Dinner
on February 4, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable R. James Nicholson.