S*0994 Concurrent Resolution, By Leatherman
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE
 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE REVEREND JIMMIE E. HARLEY, PASTOR OF
 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLORENCE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AND
 WISHING FOR HIM YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND CONTINUED SERVICE TO
 THE PEOPLE OF HIS COMMUNITY AND STATE.

   01/11/00  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-53
   01/11/00  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-461

EXPRESSING THE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE REVEREND JIMMIE E. HARLEY, PASTOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLORENCE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AND WISHING FOR HIM YEARS OF GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HIS COMMUNITY AND STATE.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly note that the Reverend Jimmie E. Harley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Florence is retiring after a long and distinguished career in Christian ministry; and

Whereas, a native of Denmark in Bamberg County, and a graduate of Denmark High School, the Reverend Harley attended Mars Hill College and took his undergraduate degree at Furman University and received his theological degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

Whereas, in his career he has pastored the Welcome Baptist Church in Pendleton from 1962 to 1964, the First Baptist Church of Wagener from 1964 to 1967, the Eastlan Baptist Church in Greenville from 1967 to 1977, and took up his current pastorate at the First Baptist Church of Florence in 1978; and

Whereas, in his career, he has served in denominational leadership positions with great distinction, including a term as President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1988 and in 1986 and 1987 the vice presidency positions of the convention, leading to the highest office, as Chairman and member of the Stewardship Board of Commissioners from 1983 to 1986, as member and Vice President of the Annuity Board of Trustees, as member and President of the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Foundation, and numerous other posts associated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention; and

Whereas, the Reverend Harley has done yeoman service for community organizations, as a member and officer of the YMCA Board of Directors, as a Rotarian, as a member and President of the Furman University Paladin Club Board of Directors; and

Whereas, the Reverend Harley and his beautiful and equally accomplished wife, Gayle Hudson Harley, have raised four exceptional children, a difficult task for any parents, but especially hard considering the demands on the life of a pastor and the pastor's wife; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations so that they might congratulate so distinguished a son of South Carolina on the occasion of his retirement and express their appreciation for his work in a high and difficult calling. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly express congratulations and best wishes to the Reverend Jimmie E. Harley, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Florence, on the occasion of his retirement and wish for him years of good health and happiness and continued service to the people of his community and State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Reverend Jimmie E. Harley.