H*4021 Concurrent Resolution, By Lourie
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND OVERTON G. "TONY" GANONG OF COLUMBIA, UPON
 HIS RETIREMENT, FOR HIS YEARS OF INSPIRED SERVICE TO THE STATE AND ITS
 CITIZENS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE MUSEUM AND TO EXPRESS THE DEEP
 GRATITUDE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE STATE MUSEUM, UNDER
 HIS LEADERSHIP, HAS BECOME A CATALYST FOR THE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL
 DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE.

   04/25/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate
   04/25/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-12

TO COMMEND OVERTON G. "TONY" GANONG OF COLUMBIA, UPON HIS RETIREMENT, FOR HIS YEARS OF INSPIRED SERVICE TO THE STATE AND ITS CITIZENS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE MUSEUM AND TO EXPRESS THE DEEP GRATITUDE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE STATE MUSEUM, UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, HAS BECOME A CATALYST FOR THE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE.

Whereas, "Tony" Ganong is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, who moved to Florida with his family and was educated in Florida schools. He received his bachelor's degree in history and English from the University of Tampa and masters and doctorate degrees in modern European history from the University of Florida; and

Whereas, he began his professional life as a teacher but soon shifted his career focus to museum work. For four years he worked for the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board, finally becoming its director; and

Whereas, in 1977, Dr. Ganong came to South Carolina to join the fledgling state museum project. He was responsible for coordinating architectural and exhibit planning; and

Whereas, in 1985, Tony became acting director of the State Museum Commission and was appointed executive director in 1986. In that capacity he directed the renovation of the Columbia Mills Building, the installation of exhibits, and development of programs; and

Whereas, this work culminated in the 1988 grand opening of the State Museum housed in its "biggest artifact", the renovated 1893 Columbia Mill, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the world's first totally-electric textile mill; and

Whereas, the State Museum's four floors house four disciplines: art, history, natural science, and science/technology. With Dr. Ganong's leadership and vision, the State Museum recently announced a grant from NASA to help build an observatory, planetarium, and theater project. This endeavor, termed the OPT Project, will establish a long-term relationship between NASA and the museum making it part of an educational consortium between NASA and colleges and museums for thirteen states and three territories; and

Whereas, Dr. Ganong is retiring from the day-to-day administration of the State Museum. His leadership will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, commend Overton G. "Tony" Ganong of Columbia, upon his retirement, for his years of inspired service to the State and its citizens as the executive director of the State Museum and express their gratitude that the State Museum, under his leadership, has become a catalyst for the cultural and educational development of our State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Overton G. "Tony" Ganong.