H*4238 Concurrent Resolution, By Robinson and Rice
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM A.
 "BILL" CARR, UPON LEARNING HE WILL NOT OFFER FOR REELECTION AFTER SIXTEEN
 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE AS THE LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
 EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL HIS FUTURE
 ENDEAVORS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

   06/03/99  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-8
   06/03/99  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-12

TO EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM A. "BILL" CARR, UPON LEARNING HE WILL NOT OFFER FOR REELECTION AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE AS THE LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EASLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

Whereas, we are saddened to learn our good friend, The Honorable William A. "Bill" Carr, has announced that he will not seek reelection as Mayor of the City of Easley; and

Whereas, Bill Carr attended Erskine College, Emory University, and the University of South Carolina graduating with a B.A. degree. He continued his quest for knowledge by graduating from the University of Georgia with a M.Ed.; and

Whereas, Bill and his wife, Doris, are blessed with two daughters: Pam and Kitty Smith; and

Whereas, adding to his other career highlights, Bill Carr has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent high school football coach beginning in 1949 through 1979. Coach Carr earned the hearts of Easley residents and football fans as the Easley High School Coach who took his team to the 1962 State Championship game and won. He earned the esteemed titles of 1962 AA Coach of the Year and 1978 National High School Coach of the Year; and

Whereas, Mayor Carr takes great pride that the City of Easley has had no tax increases since he took office, other than the 8-mill tax that citizens voted for to finance the new recreation complex. He has relied heavily on the growing tax base and his financial wizardry to keep taxes down. When he was first elected in 1983 the city budget was $2.2 million and has since grown to more than $4 million. Revenue from business license fees has also more than tripled. Adhering to a strict budget has not adversely affected the services offered to citizens or the benefits for city employees. Employees have received a raise every year since he has been mayor and they no longer have to contribute to their health insurance; and

Whereas, under his administration, two new fire stations were built, the intersection of S.C. Highway 93 and U.S. 123 underwent major beautification, a new city hall annex was built, and a 100-acre recreation complex is due to open this spring; and

Whereas, perhaps Mayor Carr's proudest achievement is the West End Hall project. Following three years of a tight budget and the renovation of the dilapidated West End School, offices were provided for United Christian Ministries, United Way, American Red Cross, Pickens County Legislative Delegation, Habitat for Humanity, Foothills Playhouse, the free medical clinic, magistrate's office, and the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, Mayor Carr was awarded the highest award our Governor can bestow, the Order of the Palmetto, by Governor James B. Edwards on September 25, 1978; and

Whereas, during his tenure as Mayor of the City of Easley, he established a reputation of working diligently with and for the citizens of his community and any other persons who needed his assistance; and

Whereas, no man, upon retiring, ever took with him as high a degree of respect and good wishes from so many devoted friends and associates. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express their appreciation to The Honorable William A. "Bill" Carr, upon learning he will not offer for reelection after sixteen years of continuous service as the longest-serving Mayor of the City of Easley, South Carolina, and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors on the occasion of his retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to The Honorable William A. "Bill" Carr.