H*5134 Resolution, By Funderburk, Lucas, Bales and Wheeler
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LAURIE PARKS FOR HER MANY YEARS OF
 DEDICATED SERVICE AS CHAIR FOR JUNIOR LEADERSHIP KERSHAW COUNTY AND TO WISH
 HER WELL IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   03/20/18  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 67)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR LAURIE PARKS FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS CHAIR FOR JUNIOR LEADERSHIP KERSHAW COUNTY AND TO WISH HER WELL IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Laurie Parks, chair for Junior Leadership Kershaw County, will retire from her post after many years of committed service; and

Whereas, founded in 1988, Junior Leadership Kershaw County is one of the oldest continuously operating high school leadership programs in South Carolina. Since it began, more than nine hundred students have completed the program, which is a partnership of the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, the Kershaw County School District, and Camden Military Academy, with beneficiary support provided by the Camden Kiwanis Club. The application-based program is offered to juniors and seniors at each of Kershaw County's high schools. Each high school reviews its submitted applications and selects its representatives based on factors such as leadership ability, creativity, initiative, dependability, character, involvement in activities, and good academic performance; and

Whereas, many years ago, Laurie Parks began her involvement with the award-winning Junior Leadership Kershaw County as chair, and she has served with distinction and dedication; and

Whereas, since 2001 in her service with Junior Leadership Kershaw County, Laurie has coordinated more than 125 sessions (daylong meetings in which Junior Leadership students hear speakers, participate in activities, and go on field studies), volunteered over 1,200 hours for the program, and traveled more than 1,830 miles to speak to schools about the program and travel with Junior Leadership students on their South Carolina State House field trips; and

Whereas, Laurie believes strongly in active community involvement, and she puts her convictions into action by serving her community in various capacities beyond her work with Junior Leadership Kershaw County. This former Camden City Council member participates in "A Mother's Voice", a Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Initiative she helped launch that provides incarcerated mothers with recordable books suitable for toddlers and young children to reinforce bonds between mother and child, increase mother-child communication through reading, and improve the literacy skills of both mother and child. Her long-time service on the Kershaw County Foster Care Review Board has gone far above what is asked of a member. She is also active with the Camden Kiwanis Club, Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church and other organizations; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Laurie Parks has bestowed on the youth of Kershaw County, takes great pleasure in wishing her much success in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Laurie Parks for her many years of dedicated service as chair for Junior Leadership Kershaw County and wish her well in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Laurie Parks.