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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR FELTON AND DORIS BURTON, OF GREENWOOD COUNTY, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SOUTH CAROLINIANS, AND TO WISH THEM ALL THE BEST IN THE COMING YEARS.
Whereas, possessing true hearts for those in need, Felton and Doris Burton became active in efforts to establish programs for the mentally handicapped when their oldest daughter, Debbie, was born with Down's syndrome in 1952; and
Whereas, recognizing that there were no programs in Greenwood County to help their daughter and other special needs children, Mr. and Mrs. Burton helped form the Greenwood County Association for Retarded Citizens in 1958; and
Whereas, the Burton Center for Disabilities and Special Needs began over thirty-five years ago with eight clients and two staff members, and has grown to serve over one thousand clients in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda counties; and
Whereas, a nonprofit, multi-county agency, the Burton Center provides family support, day services for adults, residential services, and service coordination; and
Whereas, over the last forty-nine years, Mr. and Mrs. Burton have made extraordinary strides in serving handicapped individuals in the six counties where services are provided by the Burton Center and throughout the State; and
Whereas, retiring in 1982 from the South Carolina Department of Highways and Transportation, Mr. Burton has devoted the last twenty-five years exclusively to promoting the inclusion and care of mentally handicapped South Carolinians; and
Whereas, recognized for his selfless service, Mr. Burton received the Order of the Palmetto in 1993 and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Lander University. He was also inducted into the Greenwood County Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, among his many accolades, perhaps the one that means the most to Mr. Burton is the Debbie Burton Making a Difference Award, presented first to him in 2001 and annually thereafter to the professional who has shown outstanding service in the State of South Carolina on behalf of people with disabilities and special needs; and
Whereas, it is with great pride that the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives pause in their deliberations to honor this fine South Carolina couple for their tireless commitment to making their community and this State a better place for their daughter and for countless other South Carolinians. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Felton and Doris Burton, of Greenwood County, for their outstanding contributions to the care of mentally handicapped South Carolinians, and to wish them all the best in the coming years.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. and Mrs. Felton Burton.
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