S*0981 Resolution, By Alexander
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JEFFERSON VERNE SMITH OLMERT.
 GREAT-GRANDSON OF THE LATE SENATOR J. VERNE SMITH.

   06/22/11  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 5)

TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JEFFERSON VERNE SMITH OLMERT. GREAT-GRANDSON OF THE LATE SENATOR J. VERNE SMITH.

Whereas, Jefferson Verne Smith Olmert was born on April 6, 2011, at 11:11 a.m. in Greer, South Carolina. He weighed 8 pounds and was 20.5 inches in length; and

Whereas, he was welcomed by proud parents Jennifer and Travis Olmert, siblings Alex and Cate, and maternal grandparents Carole and Henley Olmert; and

Whereas, Jefferson is the great-grandson of the late Senator J. Verne Smith of Greer, who died at age 81 in 2006, just 29 days after the death of his beloved wife, Jean, to whom he was married for 59 years; and

Whereas, Senator J. Verne Smith ably served in the South Carolina Senate from 1973 until 2006, rising to chair the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. He was particularly proud to serve as chair of the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, a post from which he staunchly advocated support for the elderly, frail, and children of the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, Senator Smith was a role model for many and an effective public servant. The crown jewels of his public service were the successful recruitment of the BMW manufacturing plant to his hometown of Greer and the historic renovation of South Carolina's State House from 1995 - 1998, which he oversaw as Chairman of the State House Committee; and

Whereas, he had a great sense of humor, an unwavering dedication to the less fortunate, and an enormous ability to achieve results for the people of South Carolina; and

Whereas, it is fitting for the members of the Senate to pause in their deliberations to remember the legacy of one of their own. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, join Jennifer, Travis, Alex, and Cate Olmert in celebrating the birth of Jefferson Verne Smith Olmert, great-grandson of the late Senator J. Verne Smith.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Jefferson Verne Smith Olmert.