S*0769 Concurrent Resolution, By Saleeby and Alexander
 A Concurrent Resolution commending and thanking John G. Richards for his
 dedicated and exemplary public service as South Carolina's Chief Insurance
 Commissioner, and wishing him happiness and success in his future endeavors.

   04/19/95  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-3
   04/20/95  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-7

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

COMMENDING AND THANKING JOHN G. RICHARDS FOR HIS DEDICATED AND EXEMPLARY PUBLIC SERVICE AS SOUTH CAROLINA'S CHIEF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, AND WISHING HIM HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, John G. Richards has served the State of South Carolina for twenty-three years, with ten of those years in the position as Chief Insurance Commissioner; and

Whereas, Commissioner Richards holds the longest tenure of any chief insurance commissioner in the state's history; and

Whereas, during Commissioner Richards' tenure, South Carolina became the third state accredited by the National Association of Insurance commissioners; accreditation signifies that a state has a superior system for regulating the solvency of insurance companies; and

Whereas, Commissioner Richards joined forces with the Division on Aging of the Governor's Office to develop and implement the I-Care Program an innovative, grass-roots program to provide meaningful assistance to senior citizens on a range of health-related topics; and

Whereas, the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act was a recommendation of the South Carolina Insurance Commission, and Commissioner Richards worked diligently to ensure the act's passage; and

Whereas, while Commissioner Richards was in office, rates for credit insurance consistently decreased; and

Whereas, recognizing the critical need that many South Carolinians have for access to health insurance coverage, Commissioner Richards was responsible for the passage of legislation which established the South Carolina Health Insurance Pool, which provides health insurance coverage to individuals who are otherwise uninsurable; and

Whereas, during the insurance availability crisis of the 1980's, Commissioner Richards established the Market Assistance Program at the Department of Insurance to assist South Carolinians in procuring insurance coverages; and

Whereas, he earned state and national recognition for coordinating the response of the Department of Insurance to the results of Hurricane Hugo, the costliest, most devastating natural disaster ever experienced in the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, he was the recipient of an award from the State of Florida for his invaluable assistance to that state following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew; and

Whereas, John G. Richards has been a dedicated, innovative, hardworking, and successful Chief Insurance Commissioner, a post he is leaving to pursue other endeavors; and

Whereas, the General Assembly is grateful for his outstanding and loyal public service and wishes to take this opportunity to recognize him in a special manner. Now, therefore,

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, commends and thanks John G. Richards for his dedicated and exemplary public service as South Carolina's Chief Insurance Commissioner and wishes him happiness and success in his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Commissioner Richards.