H*4893 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*4893 Concurrent Resolution, By Harvin
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO FORMER STATE
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER, THE HONORABLE SAM O. GAMBLE OF MANNING, SOUTH CAROLINA,
FOR HIS UNBOUNDED COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLARENDON COUNTY AND THE
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
03/25/98 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-72
03/25/98 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-8
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO EXTEND THE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA TO FORMER STATE HIGHWAY
COMMISSIONER, THE HONORABLE SAM O. GAMBLE OF
MANNING, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR HIS UNBOUNDED
COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLARENDON
COUNTY AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, Sam Gamble was born in Manning to the proud parents of
John McLauri
n Gamble and Daisey Robinson Gamble. He was one of six children
and was literally born in the Manning jail. His father was a deputy
sheriff in Clarendon County and at the time of Sam Gamble's birth
was also the jailer. In those days living quarters for the jailer were at
the jail; and
Whereas, he attended the public schools in Manning and graduated
from Manning High School. After his graduation, he worked as a
mechanic for a short time with a local car dealership then moved to
Kingstree to work with the Highway Engineering Program. In 1942,
he returned to Manning to take the job of driving and maintaining the
town's one fire truck, which was the beginning of his interest in the
fire department -- later he became the fire chief in Manning; and
Whereas, in the meantime, the world went to war and Sam Gamble
joined the newly-formed United States Army Air Corps and became
a mechanic on B-17 aircraft; and
Whereas, following the war Sam Gamble returned to Manning and
went to work temporarily as part-time help with the local railroad;
and
Whereas, after borrowing three hundred dollars from Mitch
Cottingham, he bought the Esso filling station on June 8, 1944,
located at the corner of North Brook Street and Rigby Street. Never
one to be afraid of hard work, Sam Gamble's filling station soon
prospered and he was one of the pioneers of "full
service"; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble's full service policy was soon recognized by
the Exxon Company, and he found himself the subject of an article
in the Saturday Evening Post and flying to New York to appear on
the Today Show. In time, the full service concept of taking care of
customers was the industry standard at stations around the country
representing all of the nation's oil companies; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble's political career began in 1948 when he ran
for, and was elected to town council. He served four years in this
capacity and then ran for Mayor of Manning and was elected in 1952
-- serving in this position for six years. In those days mayors served
three-year terms; and
Whereas, during his tenure as Mayor of Manning, some of the finest
times in the town's history occurred. In 1955, Manning's One
Hundredth Birthday was celebrated and continued for months. Then
in September of 1956, Manning resident Marion McKnight was
named Miss America for 1957, which began another celebration with
parades and activities; and
Whereas, under Mayor Gamble's leadership, one of his proudest
accomplishments took place when the growing town paid off its
indebtedness and a new City Hall was built for cash. Also, the town's
infrastructure saw changes by extending and improving water and
sewer service throughout the city, and with the help of Congressman
Mendel Rivers a new Post Office was built; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble continued to serve with the fire department,
helping the town to modernize and buy equipment for the
department; and
Wheras, Gamble left city government in 1958 when he bought a farm
east of Manning and began raising thoroughbred racing horses.
Today he says he is quite comfortable in his role of retired observer
to local politics and sees a bright future for his community; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble has been active and prominent as a civic
leader to Clarendon County and the Palmetto State by serving as a
member of the Lions Club, the Knights of Phythias, the Woodmen of
the World, and the Shriners. He is a life-member of the Masons. He
was elected to serve on the State Highway Commission and is a
long-time member of the Manning United Methodist Church where
he has formerly served on the Board of Trustees; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble lovingly raised three children: Sam O.
Gamble, Jr., who works with the United Funding Company providing
financing for manufactured homes; Judy Hooks, who is a teacher at
Alcolu Elementary School; Jan Buid, who works with the
Department of Corrections in Columbia; and is the proud grandfather
of two grandchildren; and
Whereas, Sam Gamble will always be remembered in the history of
Manning as a pioneer who wasn't afraid to try new ideas and who
simply refused to believe that anything couldn't be done if people
tried hard enough; and
Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the General Assembly
to pause in their deliberations to honor this distinguished South
Carolinian, Sam O. Gamble, who has dedicated his entire life to
public service, along with an overriding desire to make South
Carolina a better place in which to live. 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 hereby extend their gratitude and appreciation to former
State Highway Commissioner, The Honorable Sam O. Gamble of
Manning, South Carolina, for his unbounded commitment and
contributions to Clarendon County and the State of South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
The Honorable Sam O. Gamble.
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