A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and commend the Honorable C. David Sawyer, Jr., for his outstanding civic and community service and for fifty years of volunteer service with the Ridge Spring Fire Department.

 

Whereas, it is altogether fitting that the House of Representatives should pause in its deliberations to commend the Honorable C. David Sawyer, Jr., for his significant investment to the Ridge Spring Fire Department; and

 

Whereas, born on April 7, 1948, David Sawyer is the only child of C. David "Buck" Sawyer, Sr., and Edna Spradley Sawyer, and he graduated from Ridge Spring-Monetta High School in 1966; and

 

Whereas, in the patriotic tradition of the sons of South Carolina, he served his country in the South Carolina Air National Guard from 1970 to 1976, while earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 from the University of South Carolina and a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1974. An avid Gamecock fan, he has been a member of the Gamecock Club for fifty-five years and is president of the Saluda County Gamecock Club; and

 

Whereas, dedicated to his profession, David Sawyer practiced law in Edgefield and Saluda counties for 44 years, and, upon election by the General Assembly, he served as a family court judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for 15 years from 1992 to 2007. He served as the mayor of Ridge Spring for nine years from 1983 to 1992, prior to becoming a judge; and

 

Whereas, Judge Sawyer was a leader among his peers, having served as a member of the Family Court Judges Advisory Committee; secretary-treasurer of Family Court Judges Association; Municipal Court judge for the Town of Batesburg-Leesville; attorney for the towns of Batesburg, Monetta, and Ward; and a Saluda County magistrate; and

 

Whereas, with a strong sense of civic devotion, he has served as a volunteer member of the Ridge Spring Fire Department for five decades, formerly as the chief of the department and as a captain and secretary.  In 2003, he was honored as the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year; and

     

Whereas, generous with his time and talents, he also serves on the board of directors for the Upper Savannah Council of Governments and on the advisory board of Security Federal Bank, and has served as a member of the board of directors for the Saluda County Council on Aging, Saluda County Department of Social Services, Saluda County Economic Development Board, South Carolina Municipal Association, and Carolina Health Center, Inc.; and

 

Whereas, deeply dedicated to his community, David Sawyer was the former president of Ridge Spring-Monetta Jaycees, which honored him twice with the Key Man Award, and is a lifelong, faithful member of Ridge Spring Baptist Church, where he has served the congregation as a deacon, church moderator, a youth director, Sunday school vice-superintendent, and a Sunday school teacher; and

 

Whereas, he was married to his high school sweetheart, the late Sandra Faye Cato Sawyer, for thirty-six years, and together they reared three fine daughters: Becky Sawyer Wannamaker, Bonnie Sawyer Matthews, and Beth Sawyer Richards.  His children have blessed him with the affection of six adoring grandchildren: McKenzie Faye Wannamaker, Drayton Sawyer Wannamaker, Lillian Claire "Lilly" Matthews, Zachary Cabaniss "Cab" Matthews, Henry David Richards, and Faye Edna Richards; and

 

Whereas, honored in 1985 with the Order of the Palmetto, David Sawyer has provided significant service to his community and to the Palmetto State, and the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives take great pride in honoring him and thanking him for his half century as a volunteer with the Ridge Spring Fire Department.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable C. David Sawyer, Jr., for his outstanding civic and community service and for fifty years of volunteer service with the Ridge Spring Fire Department.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable C. David Sawyer, Jr.

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