Committee Report

February 2, 2023

S. 319

Introduced by Senators Williams and Reichenbach

S. Printed 02/02/23--H.

Read the first time January 25, 2023

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The committee on House Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

To who was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 319) to request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of SC-51, Pamplico Highway, between Flowers Road and Willard Henry Road in Florence County, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

DENNIS MOSS for Committee.

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A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME the portion of SC-51, Pamplico Highway, between Flowers Road and Willard Henry Road in Florence County "Sgt. Robert A. Mobley Highway" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.

Whereas, Sergeant Robert Aaron Mobley was born on November 12, 1928, in Vina, Alabama, to parents Ralph M. and Lovie Baldwin Mobley; and

Whereas, Sergeant Mobley grew up in Greenwood with his half-sister, Selma Baldwin, his sister, Betty Jean, and a stepbrother, Earl Horton. He graduated from Greenwood High School on July 31, 1946; and

Whereas, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Mobley served in China following WWII; and

Whereas, after being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Sergeant Mobley joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 1958. He graduated from Patrol School in 1958 and was assigned to Anderson County. In 1972, Patrolman Mobley was promoted to Corporal and transferred to Florence County. In 1978, he was promoted to Sergeant; and

Whereas, on July 19, 1979, Sergeant Mobley stopped a motorcycle for a burned-out taillight on Highway 51, five miles south of Florence. During contact with the motorcyclist, a struggle ensued. The motorcyclist obtained control of Sergeant Mobley's service revolver and shot him six times. Sergeant Mobley died at the scene; and

Whereas, Sergeant Mobley was buried with full military honors in the Florence National Cemetery. His son Ralph was serving with the South Carolina Highway Patrol in Kershaw County at the time of his father's death. Ralph was promoted through the ranks and served as Colonel of the Patrol from 1999 until his retirement in 2001; and

Whereas, Sergeant Mobley was survived by his wife, Nell Grover, his three sons, Dwight, Ralph, and Walter, his mother, his brother and sister, and two grandchildren; and

Whereas, South Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant Robert A. Mobley was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in 1986; and

Whereas, it would be only fitting and proper to pay tribute to this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of road in the State in his honor. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of SC-51, Pamplico Highway, between Flowers Road and Willard Henry Road in Florence County "Sgt. Robert A. Mobley Highway" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing the designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and presented to the family of Sgt. Robert A. Mobley.

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