H*4696 Concurrent Resolution, By Hixon, Clyburn, J.R. Smith, Spires, Taylor, 
Young, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Allison, Anderson, Anthony, Atwater, Bales, 
Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bikas, Bingham, Bowen, 
Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brannon, Brantley, G.A. Brown, H.B. Brown, R.L. Brown, 
Butler Garrick, Chumley, Clemmons, Cobb-Hunter, Cole, Corbin, Crawford, Crosby, 
Daning, Delleney, Dillard, Edge, Erickson, Forrester, Frye, Funderburk, 
Gambrell, Gilliard, Govan, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Hart, Hayes, 
Hearn, Henderson, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Horne, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, 
Jefferson, Johnson, King, Knight, Limehouse, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, 
McCoy, McEachern, McLeod, Merrill, D.C. Moss, V.S. Moss, Munnerlyn, Murphy, 
Nanney, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parker, Parks, 
Patrick, Pinson, Pitts, Pope, Putnam, Quinn, Rutherford, Ryan, Sabb, Sandifer, 
Sellers, Simrill, Skelton, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, Sottile, 
Southard, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Thayer, Toole, Tribble, Vick, Viers, 
Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams and Willis
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE RODGER E.
 EDMONDS, CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF AIKEN COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
 FROM THE BENCH, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS
 FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   01/31/12  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 6)
   02/01/12  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (Senate Journal-page 18)

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE RODGER E. EDMONDS, CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF AIKEN COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly have learned that the Honorable Rodger E. Edmonds recently began a well-deserved retirement after forty-two years of faithful and outstanding service to the citizens of Aiken County; and

Whereas, in 1965, at the age of seventeen, he graduated from North Augusta Senior High School, followed by studies at Palmer Business College in Augusta, Georgia; and

Whereas, in 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, later transferring to the United States Air Force. By utilizing his organizational and mechanical skills as a jet-engine mechanic, he advanced to the rank of staff sergeant. After four years of military service, he was honorably discharged on December 7, 1969; and

Whereas, he was recruited by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and in 1970 joined its ranks, patrolling Richland and adjoining counties and later Aiken County. During his service, he was named 1977 Police Officer of the Year by the Graniteville Exchange Club and 1978 Lawman of the Year by the American Legion, Post 168; and

Whereas, through persistent hard work and dedication, he obtained the rank of corporal in 1987; and

Whereas, in 1989, he was appointed North Augusta magistrate and held this office for twenty-two years. In 1995, he was assigned the duties of associate chief magistrate and served in that capacity until 2000, at which time he was named Aiken County chief magistrate by Chief Justice Jean H. Toal of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He continued to serve in that position until his retirement on January 19, 2012; and

Whereas, Judge Edmonds has served on the executive board of the South Carolina Summary Court Judges Association since 1997. He has held the office of treasurer, magistrate-vice president, and president and is currently serving as immediate past president. He also chairs the Convention/Seminar Committee and has been involved in the planning and oversight of the organization's educational programs; and

Whereas, away from the office, he has served since 1985 on the executive board of the Augusta Southern National Drag Boat Association, a charitable organization that benefits the Georgia Special Olympics; and

Whereas, during his tenure as Aiken County chief magistrate, he has brought many innovations to the office, such as implementation of the Central Bond Court System, continued operation of Centralized Traffic Court, maintenance of a duty schedule for both courts, and the designation of a judge dedicated to on-call after-hours duty; and

Whereas, in addition, after many hours of extensive and diligent research, Judge Edmonds initiated a proposal to Aiken County Council to bring court-staff salaries up to the level of private enterprise, an endeavor that was crowned with success and served to help stabilize the employment of personnel; and

Whereas, beyond his responsibilities for Aiken County, Judge Edmonds serves as municipal judge for Burnettown; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of forty-four years, Becky, he reared two fine children, who have blessed their parents with three adoring grandchildren; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is grateful for the legacy of leadership that the Honorable Rodger E. Edmonds has bestowed on Aiken County and appreciates the long and enduring guidance he has given to citizens of the Palmetto State. 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, recognize and commend the Honorable Rodger E. Edmonds, chief magistrate of Aiken County, upon the occasion of his retirement from the bench, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the Honorable Rodger E. Edmonds.