H*3347 Concurrent Resolution, By R.A. Barber, J.J. Bailey, R.C. Fulmer, 
S.E. Gonzales, H.M. Hallman, D.N. Holt, D.E. Martin, J. Rama and R.M. Young
 A Concurrent Resolution to recognize and express gratitude to Margaret S.
 Townsend of Charleston County for her loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service
 for twenty-one years on the South Carolina Election Commission and the Board
 of State Canvassers.

   01/29/91  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-14
   01/29/91  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-1

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO MARGARET S. TOWNSEND OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HER LOYAL, DEDICATED, AND UNSELFISH SERVICE FOR TWENTY-ONE YEARS ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION COMMISSION AND THE BOARD OF STATE CANVASSERS.

Whereas, Margaret S. Townsend of Charleston, South Carolina, was appointed by Governor Robert E. McNair as one of the original members of the South Carolina State Election Commission when it was created in January, 1969; and

Whereas, when her last appointment expired in September, 1990, she had served continuously on the State Election Commission and the Board of State Canvassers for twenty-one years, which very possibly is a record for continuous service without pay on a state board or commission; and

Whereas, she served on the State Election Commission under five different Governors; and

Whereas, it is her strong conviction that a person who accepts an appointment for public service has an obligation to give one hundred percent effort in meeting that commitment and during the twenty-one years she served on the state board, the number of meetings that she missed could be counted on one hand; and

Whereas, it is the mission of the State Election Commission to create and supervise an open, fair, free, and impartial state system of voter registration and elections. During her twenty-one years of service on the commission and the Board of State Canvassers she never made a decision based upon partisan politics. In a conscientious effort to find the truth she always based her decisions upon facts and evidence without regard to political considerations; and

Whereas, under her supervision as a member of the commission our State has seen great improvement in the quality and conduct of voter registration and elections; and

Whereas, during her service on the State Election Commission the State of South Carolina was the first state in the nation to install a statewide computer system of voter registration, which has served as a model to all other states; and

Whereas, during Ms. Townsend's period of service South Carolina was the first state in the South to implement a state system of voter registration by mail. Today, over fifty percent of all new voters register by mail; and

Whereas, due in large part to her efforts, South Carolina has installed a modern automated system of voting in numerous counties throughout the State in order to eliminate the use of paper ballots in elections; and

Whereas, the citizens of South Carolina owe Margaret Townsend a great debt of gratitude for her loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service to them while a member of the State Election Commission and the Board of State Canvassers; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to have this opportunity to recognize Margaret S. Townsend's outstanding service to the State of South Carolina as a member of the South Carolina Election Commission and the Board of State Canvassers. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly recognize and express their gratitude for the loyal, dedicated, and unselfish service of Margaret S. Townsend for her twenty-one years of continuous service as a member of the South Carolina State Election Commission and the Board of State Canvassers.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Margaret S. Townsend, 130 l/2 Tradd Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403.