H*5061 Concurrent Resolution, By Tripp and Wilkins
 A Concurrent Resolution expressing the congratulations of the members of the
 General Assembly of the State of South Carolina to Dr. Walter Handford of
 Greenville on his thirty-one years of dedicated and productive service to
 Southside Baptist Church and to extend best wishes upon his retirement.

   05/23/96  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-8
   05/23/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-14

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

EXPRESSING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO DR. WALTER HANDFORD OF GREENVILLE ON HIS THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF DEDICATED AND PRODUCTIVE SERVICE TO SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are delighted to note Dr. Walter Handford's very distinguished career in the ministry; and

Whereas, Dr. Handford was born and reared in Seattle, Washington; he graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree; and his Doctor of Divinity from the Baptist Bible College in Denver, Colorado; and

Whereas, in 1948, he married Elizabeth Rice, the daughter of nationally known evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice; and

Whereas, Walter and Elizabeth are devoted to each other and have joyfully stood together as a model married couple for forty-eight years; and

Whereas, they are proud parents of seven children and loving grandparents of fifteen grandchildren; the Handfords are loved and deeply respected by their family; and

Whereas, Dr. Handford became Pastor of Southside Baptist Church in 1965 and in these thirty-one years his congregation grew from an average attendance of 250 to over 1,400; and

Whereas, in 1986 Southside Baptist Church occupied a new 90,000 square foot building on forty acres of property at the corner of Woodruff Road and Highway 14 on the east side of Greenville; Dr. Handford is President of the Board of Southside Christian Schools with an enrollment of seven hundred plus students; and

Whereas, this creative man has made significant contributions to Southside Baptist Church and to Greenville County; and

Whereas, Dr. Handford has touched the lives of countless persons and has tirelessly dedicated his life to the helping of all human-kind; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly would like to say thank you to this distinguished South Carolinian for his achievements and long service to his congregation of Southside Baptist Church and Greenville County. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express sincere congratulations to Dr. Walter Handford of Greenville on his thirty-one years of dedicated and productive service to Southside Baptist and extend best wishes upon his retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Walter Handford.