UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 75
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 6/22/2023 12:52 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of 1
Representative Lamin Swann. 2
WHEREAS, Lamin Swann was born on December 2, 1977, in Lexington, 3
Kentucky; and 4
WHEREAS, Lamin Swann graduated from Tates Creek High School and continued 5
on to the University of Kentucky, where he majored in social work and wrote for the 6
university newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel, as a staff member and editor; and 7
WHEREAS, the importance of politics and social justice was instilled in Lamin at 8
an early age. When Lamin was eight years old, he attended a demonstration with his 9
grandfather at the State Capitol advocating for Martin Luther King Jr. Day to become a 10
recognized holiday in Kentucky; and 11
WHEREAS, while in college, Lamin was active in the university's Violence 12
Intervention and Prevention Center; and 13
WHEREAS, Lamin's commitment to social justice continued beyond college as a 14
social worker in the Fayette County Family Court system, working with clients in the 15
family reunification process within the court system; and 16
WHEREAS, in addition to his work helping the disabled and disadvantaged, Lamin 17
also possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, creating and running a studio called L.PIERRE, a 18
boutique women's fashion label, concentrating on fashion and product design; and 19
WHEREAS, Lamin Swann was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives 20
in 2022, representing the 93rd District in Lexington. He would serve on the 21
Transportation, Health Services, Economic Development and Workforce Investment, and 22
Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committees; and 23
WHEREAS, Representative Swann's advocacy for the disabled and disadvantaged 24
continued as a legislator, providing a voice on issues ranging from social justice to 25
expanding disability rights. During the 2023 Regular Session, Representative Swann 26
introduced a bill to prevent discrimination in Section 8 housing; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 75
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 6/22/2023 12:52 PM Jacketed
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2023, days after suffering a medical emergency, Lamin 1
Swann passed away. He was laid to rest on May 19, 2023, at Lexington Cemetery; and 2
WHEREAS, Lamin's life was a testament to overcoming hardship, perseverance, 3
and public service. He would publicly discuss his struggle with cerebral palsy, and made 4
his way through the Capitol in a wheelchair; and 5
WHEREAS, friends and colleagues knew Lamin as a man who lived life to the 6
fullest and constantly giving to others. In the words of his friend Reverend Willis Polk, 7
"His drive to live life at its best in spite of his circumstances...to see him go and see him 8
do... is in my mind marvelous." In the words of House Democratic Caucus Chair 9
Cherlynn Stevenson, "I absolutely am a better human because I knew Lamin...and I think 10
everybody here can say the same thing." Speaker of the House David Osborne recalled 11
him as a "positive force in countless discussions," "an incredibly dedicated public 12
servant," and "a voice for those who live with disabilities"; and 13
WHEREAS, in spite of all of the obstacles Lamin Swann had to overcome 14
throughout his life, he would always approach those obstacles with a pleasant demeanor 15
and a smile; 16
NOW, THEREFORE, 17
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 18
Kentucky: 19
Section 1. The Senate does hereby express its most profound sympathy upon 20
the passing of Representative Lamin Swann, and posthumously thanks him for his service 21
to the Commonwealth. 22
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 23
memory of Representative Lamin Swann. 24
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 25
Resolution to Senator Gerald Neal for delivery. 26