H*5142 Resolution, By Harrell, Harrison, Agnew, Allen, Altman, Anderson, 
Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, 
Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, 
Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, 
Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, 
Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, 
J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hodges, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, 
Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Leach, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, 
Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Mitchell, 
Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, 
Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Rhoad, Rice, Rivers, Rutherford, 
Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, 
F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Stewart, 
Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Umphlett, Vaughn, Vick, Viers, 
Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Witherspoon and Young
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE DENNIS LEE OF CHARLESTON, PRESIDENT AND OWNER
 OF HENRY J. LEE DISTRIBUTORS, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY AND VARIED
 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BEER INDUSTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

   05/16/06  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-37

TO RECOGNIZE DENNIS LEE OF CHARLESTON, PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF HENRY J. LEE DISTRIBUTORS, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY AND VARIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BEER INDUSTRY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, it is appropriate for the South Carolina House of Representatives to acknowledge the contributions of the citizens of this State whose life's work contribute significantly to the economy of our State; and

Whereas, Dennis Lee of Charleston, president and owner of Henry J. Lee Distributors, is certainly one such South Carolinian worthy of this special recognition; and

Whereas, the Lee family got their start in the beer industry in South Carolina in 1953 when Henry J. Lee, Sr. worked for Pilot Beer Wholesalers in Charleston; and

Whereas, in 1961, he purchased Pilot and renamed it Henry J. Lee Distributors in 1963; and

Whereas, from 1953 to 1982, the company was a "Schlitz only" distributor but in 1982, the company was awarded the rights to Coors Brewing Company products and then purchased the rights to the Stroh brands two years later; and

Whereas, the senior Lee's two sons grew up in the beer business and sadly Henry J. Lee, Jr., "Buddy", was killed in an auto accident in April of 1987. Henry J. Lee, Sr., also died in August of that same year of cancer; and

Whereas, Dennis Lee took up the reins of the family business and became president and owner of the business in 1987; and

Whereas, with Dennis Lee at the helm, the business thrived and evolved into one of the premier coastal distributors in the State. He purchased Bay Beverage Distributors, the Charleston Miller/Heileman distributor, and completed the purchase of Momentum Distributors of Beaufort in 1991; and

Whereas, under his able leadership, Lee Distributors grew to serve seven counties along the South Carolina Coast from Charleston to Georgia. Its portfolio includes brands from twelve different suppliers including Miller, Coors, Pabst, Gambrinus, and Diageo; and

Whereas, Henry J. Lee, Sr., Buddy Lee, and Dennis Lee have all contributed greatly to the beer industry in the State. Each was active on the Beer Wholesalers Association with each having served on the Board of Directors as well as each serving a term as Chairman of the Board; and

Whereas, the family business has recently been sold to the Reyes family who promises to honor the legacy of the Lee family and continue operations primarily "as is" with the current employees. Dennis Lee helped the Reyes family get started in the beer business in 1976 in Spartanburg and they are honored to be continuing what Dennis Lee, his father, and brother built; and

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives pauses to acknowledge the life's work of the Lee family of Charleston and their contributions to the economy of South Carolina as a result. Certainly, barley and hops run in the blood of the Lee family. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize Dennis Lee of Charleston, president and owner of Henry J. Lee Distributors, and commend him for his many and varied contributions to the beer industry in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Dennis Lee of Charleston.