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TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE DAVID L. THOMAS FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF SENATE DISTRICT 8, AND TO EXPRESS DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE, TO OUR STATE, AND TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
Whereas, the Honorable David L. Thomas has served the citizens of Greenville County in District 8 in the South Carolina Senate since 1985 with enthusiasm, devotion, and integrity; and
Whereas, in 1949 he was born and raised in South Carolina, the son of Harry Lee and Mary Brown Thomas; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas graduated in 1971 with a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, in 1975 with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1979 a Master of Arts degree from Texas Christian University; and
Whereas, he served on Greenville City Council from 1979 to 1984 and as Mayor Pro Tempore from 1983 to 1984; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas was a newlywed to his lovely wife, Fran, when he entered the Senate Chamber in 1985 with a head full of dark hair. He leaves us this year with still a head full of hair - only it is a lot whiter now; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas continued to perform his duties in the Senate and serve his constituents with unwavering energy while obtaining a law degree in 1995 from the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, during his tenure with the Senate, his many committee assignments have included the Corrections and Penology, Finance, General, and Medical Affairs Committees, and he currently serves as Chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee; and
Whereas, an outspoken reformer, he helped lead the fight for landmark residential property tax relief and welfare reform. As prior Chairman of the Senator Corrections and Penology Committee, he was a Senate leader in passing "truth in sentencing" and "three strikes you're out" laws; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas has been recognized as a national leader on environment and beautification issues since his founding of the Litter Task Force in 1999, ultimately becoming Palmetto Pride, the Governor's Council on Beautification and Litter, a statewide beautification and eradication of litter program in South Carolina; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas will be bondly remembered as a strong leader, a hardworking conservative, and an outspoken reformer. He has served his community in many capacities, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Children and Families, the Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities Steering Committee, the Palmetto Conservation Commission, the Blue Ribbon Task Force for the South Carolina Fatherhood Policy Project, the Associated Marine Institutes Board, and the YMCA Youth in Government Board; and
Whereas, Senator Thomas remains extremely active and he continues to practice law in Greenville County. He and his wife, Fran, attend Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville where he has taught Sunday School; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate recognize, honor, and celebrate the gift of twenty-seven years of true and faithful service that Senator Thomas has so ably and humbly bestowed upon this Senate and the people of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, commend the Honorable David L. Thomas for his distinguished service on behalf of the citizens of Senate District 8 and express deep appreciation for his contributions to the South Carolina Senate, to our State, and to his constituents.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable David L. Thomas.
This web page was last updated on June 19, 2012 at 2:34 PM