H*3561 Concurrent Resolution, By Brantley, Bowers, Breeland, Davenport, 
Hamilton, Harvin, Mitchell, Scarborough, Simrill, J.R. Smith and Stavrinakis
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF MR. RALPH TUTEN, MAYOR OF
 RIDGELAND, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   02/21/07  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-44
   02/22/07  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-8

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF MR. RALPH TUTEN, MAYOR OF RIDGELAND, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Ralph Tuten, Mayor of Ridgeland, on Saturday, February 10, 2007; and

Whereas, Mr. Tuten, elected to serve as mayor in 1999, was a key instrument behind Ridgeland's downtown revitalization and growth, helping the town to more than triple in size, positioning it to triple yet again in the future, and helping create between three hundred and four hundred new jobs for his hometown; and

Whereas, during his administration, this devoted public servant saw new brick sidewalks constructed, unsightly power lines buried, and decorative street lamps installed along Ridgeland's Main Street, following which he expanded the project to include Jacob Smart Boulevard and had the satisfaction of observing almost seventy new businesses opening downtown; and

Whereas, among other accomplishments, Mayor Tuten oversaw Ridgeland's purchase of three acres and a pond and their transformation into Blue Heron Nature Trail, thus saving the land from probable development and greatly adding to the natural amenities of his town; and

Whereas, Mr. Ralph Tuten, born August 16, 1931, to the late Leonard and Pearl Tuten, was graduated from Ridgeland High School and Clemson University, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1953; and

Whereas, prior to his returning home to Ridgeland to live, he worked in Florence for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, continuing that work for a time in Beaufort after his return; and

Whereas, as a part of his committed involvement with the community, Mr. Ralph Tuten was a member of Ridgeland Baptist Church and served on the board of directors for the Lowcountry Council of Governments and the South Carolina Municipal Association; and

Whereas, his beloved wife, Sarah Miles Tuten, having predeceased him, he leaves two sons, Lee and Lorrin Tuten; a daughter, Betsy Hentz; and seven grandchildren. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Mr. Ralph Tuten, Mayor of Ridgeland, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Lorrin Tuten, of Ridgeland.