S*0789 Resolution, By McConnell
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE DEEP PRIDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS
 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO ONE OF THE PALMETTO STATE'S FINEST, MRS.
 KATHLEEN WILSON OF CHARLESTON, ON THE OCCASION OF HER HISTORICAL CHALLENGE
 AUGUST 25, 2001, BY BECOMING THE FIRST SOUTH CAROLINIAN TO SWIM ACROSS THE
 ENGLISH CHANNEL.

   11/29/01  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-1

TO EXPRESS THE DEEP PRIDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO ONE OF THE PALMETTO STATE'S FINEST, MRS. KATHLEEN WILSON OF CHARLESTON, ON THE OCCASION OF HER HISTORICAL CHALLENGE AUGUST 25, 2001, BY BECOMING THE FIRST SOUTH CAROLINIAN TO SWIM ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are proud of Kathleen Wilson's extraordinary goal and big-time triumph of swimming twenty-one and eight tenths miles across the English Channel in thirteen hours and ten minutes; and

Whereas, four thousand four hundred swimmers have attempted the swim across the English Channel (two have died). What Kathleen Wilson has accomplished is to join an exclusive group of fewer than six hundred people (living and dead), including only thirty-five other American women, who have officially conquered "the Mount Everest of swimming"; and

Whereas, on August 25, 1875, wearing a wool bathing suit and smeared in porpoise oil, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to successfully swim the English Channel in twenty-one hours and forty-five minutes. One hundred and twenty-six years later, little has changed when it comes to channel-swimming equipment; and

Whereas, channel rules allow the following equipment: swimsuit, bathing cap, goggles, nose clip, and earplugs. The swimsuits must be a standard lycra or nylon material. Wetsuits are not allowed because they provide added protection against the cold. Water in the English Channel averages between fifty-five and sixty-three degrees, depending on the time of year. It is cold enough that hypothermia accounts for a full eighty percent of failed channel swims; and

Whereas, the swimmers are allowed to combat the cold with a modern version of Captain Webb's porpoise oil known as channel grease. The grease gives a thin layer of protection against the cold water; and

Whereas, it takes a special kind of person to endure such conditions and the determination and skill forces one to the exertion of every effort, mental and physical; and

Whereas, Kathleen's early years in Indiana, Pennsylvania, were defined by two separate, but equally intense loves: music and water. In 1981, she enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Music to study harp under one of the country's best instructors. Immediately upon arriving in Cleveland, she tried to join the Case Western Reserve University Swim Team and was denied a spot on the team. Later she joined the Cleveland branch of the United States Masters Swimming Association and began competing again; and

Whereas, upon graduation from the Cleveland Institute in 1987, with a master's degree in music performance, she had two job offers. One was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the other was in Charleston, South Carolina. It was an easy choice since Charleston was warm and near the water. Kathleen is the principal harpist for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra; and

Whereas, she is married to Charleston native, Fred Wilson, and they are blessed with two wonderful children, eight-year-old Christine and five-year-old Robbie; and

Whereas, Kathleen Wilson began a hectic rigorous training schedule over three years ago to face an ocean of obstacles between the beaches of Dover, England, and the dark cliffs of Calais, France. Since 1997, Swim Coach Andrew Wunderley of Charleston has played a major role in preparing Kathleen, both physically and mentally, to test the strength of her convictions as well as the power of her stroke; and

Whereas, she is a truly distinguished South Carolinian and it is appropriate that the members of the South Carolina Senate pause in their deliberations to honor Mrs. Kathleen Wilson on her wonderful accomplishment and to wish her happiness, good health, and Godspeed in all her future endeavors. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their pride and appreciation to one of the Palmetto State's finest, Mrs. Kathleen Wilson of Charleston, on the occasion of her historical challenge August 25, 2001, by becoming the first South Carolinian to swim across the English Channel.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Kathleen Wilson.