H*4170 Concurrent Resolution, By Walker
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF MR. JOHN FLOYD LAWRENCE OF
 LANDRUM, FORMER EDITOR AND MANAGER OF THE "LANDRUM NEWS LEADER", AND ONE OF
 LANDRUM'S MOST RESPECTED CITIZENS, UPON HIS DEATH.

   05/24/05  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-13
   05/25/05  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-22

TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF MR. JOHN FLOYD LAWRENCE OF LANDRUM, FORMER EDITOR AND MANAGER OF THE "LANDRUM NEWS LEADER", AND ONE OF LANDRUM'S MOST RESPECTED CITIZENS, UPON HIS DEATH.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Floyd Lawrence of Landrum at the age of fifty-eight; and

Whereas, John Lawrence was the editor and manager of the "Landrum News Leader" for over thirty-one years and was also the general manager of Upstate Newspapers, Inc. which includes the "Landrum News Leader" and the "Polk County News Journal" for sixteen years; and

Whereas, more than simply a good newspaperman, he was a visible and highly regarded civic and community leader who was always involved in activities, meetings, and sporting events serving his fellow citizens in any way he could; and

Whereas, John Lawrence was past president of the Landrum Lions Club and the Landrum Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Landrum High School Band Boosters, the Piedmont Area Girl Scout Board, and the Inman Post of the American Legion. The respect in which he was held is evidenced by his selection as Man of the Year by the Landrum Lions Club, Man of the Year by the Landrum Chamber of Commerce, and Man of the Year by the Polk County Jaycees; and

Whereas, he was born in Clinton, attended Landrum High School, and graduated in 1974 from the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism after serving four years in the United States Navy. He remained in the Naval Reserve and retired honorably in 2001 after thirty-one years of service; and

Whereas, after graduating from the University of South Carolina, he returned home and followed the foots steps of his father as editor and manager of the "Landrum News Leader" which had been founded in 1955 by his family; and

Whereas, he was a man of faith who was eager to share with anyone his commitment to his church and the meaning it added to his life; and

Whereas, he was devoted to his lovely wife, Cam, a dedicated father to his children Chris and Liz, and a proud son of his parents, Mr. J. W. Lawrence, Sr., and Mrs. Doris Watson Hughes of Landrum; and

Whereas, with the death of this truly wonderful man, the people of Landrum and the State of South Carolina have lost a fine newspaperman, a highly respected business and civic leader, and a good friend. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, express the deepest sympathy of the members of the General Assembly to the family and many friends of Mr. John Floyd Lawrence of Landrum, former editor and manager of the "Landrum News Leader", and one of Landrum's most respected citizens, upon his death.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his widow, Mrs. Constance Cam Fortner Lawrence.