H*3347 Session 109 (1991-1992)
H*3347 Concurrent Resolution, By R.A. Barber, J.J. Bailey, R.C. Fulmer,
S.E. Gonzales, H.M. Hallman, D.N. Holt, D.E. Martin, J. Rama and R.M. Young
A Concurrent Resolution to recognize and express gratitude to Margaret S.
Townsend of Charleston County for her loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service
for twenty-one years on the South Carolina Election Commission and the Board
of State Canvassers.
01/29/91 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-14
01/29/91 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-1
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO MARGARET S.
TOWNSEND OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HER LOYAL,
DEDICATED, AND UNSELFISH SERVICE FOR TWENTY-ONE
YEARS ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION COMMISSION
AND THE BOARD OF STATE CANVASSERS.
Whereas, Margaret S. Townsend of Charleston, South Carolina, was
appointed by Governor Robert E. McNair as one of the original
members of the South Carolina State Election Commission when it was
created in January, 1969; and
Whereas, when her last appointment expired in September, 1990, she
had served continuously on the State Election Commission and the
Board of State Canvassers for twenty-one years, which very possibly is
a record for continuous service without pay on a state board or
commission; and
Whereas, she served on the State Election Commission under five
different Governors; and
Whereas, it is her strong conviction that a person who accepts an
appointment for public service has an obligation to give one hundred
percent effort in meeting that commitment and during the twenty-one
years she served on the state board, the number of meetings that she
missed could be counted on one hand; and
Whereas, it is the mission of the State Election Commission to create
and supervise an open, fair, free, and impartial state system of voter
registration and elections. During her twenty-one years of service on the
commission and the Board of State Canvassers she never made a
decision based upon partisan politics. In a conscientious effort to find
the truth she always based her decisions upon facts and evidence without
regard to political considerations; and
Whereas, under her supervision as a member of the commission our
State has seen great improvement in the quality and conduct of voter
registration and elections; and
Whereas, during her service on the State Election Commission the State
of South Carolina was the first state in the nation to install a statewide
computer system of voter registration, which has served as a model to all
other states; and
Whereas, during Ms. Townsend's period of service South Carolina was
the first state in the South to implement a state system of voter
registration by mail. Today, over fifty percent of all new voters register
by mail; and
Whereas, due in large part to her efforts, South Carolina has installed a
modern automated system of voting in numerous counties throughout
the State in order to eliminate the use of paper ballots in elections; and
Whereas, the citizens of South Carolina owe Margaret Townsend a great
debt of gratitude for her loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service to them
while a member of the State Election Commission and the Board of
State Canvassers; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to have this
opportunity to recognize Margaret S. Townsend's outstanding service to
the State of South Carolina as a member of the South Carolina Election
Commission and the Board of State Canvassers. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly recognize and express their
gratitude for the loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service of Margaret S.
Townsend for her twenty-one years of continuous service as a member
of the South Carolina State Election Commission and the Board of State
Canvassers.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
Margaret S. Townsend, 130 l/2 Tradd Street, Charleston, South Carolina
29403.
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