S*1428 Concurrent Resolution, By Matthews
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND KENNETH L. SMITH, SR.,
 OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY, FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO PINEVILLE AND ST. STEPHENS
 UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES.

   05/28/08  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-5
   05/28/08  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-261

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND KENNETH L. SMITH, SR., OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY, FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO PINEVILLE AND ST. STEPHENS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are pleased to learn that Reverend Kenneth L. Smith, Sr., has served the community of Pineville as minister of the United Methodist Churches in his charge since 2003; and

Whereas, born in 1964 in Florence, Kenneth Smith is the son of Margaret Smith Timmons and Leroy Smith, Jr.; and

Whereas, after graduating from South Florence High School in 1982, he served with distinction in the United States Army for three years; and

Whereas, he accepted a call into the ministry in 1989 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Kingstree where he served while he was studying at South Carolina State University; and

Whereas, to bring glory to God in song, Reverend Smith founded numerous Gospel groups, including Kenneth Smith and the Harmonettes and the South Carolina Mass Choir in Orangeburg; and

Whereas, he earned a bachelor's degree in history education in 1993 at South Carolina State University and a master's degree in divinity in 1999 from Erskine Theological Seminary, where he served as the first African-American vice president of the student government in 1998; and

Whereas, beginning in 1993, he served the United Methodist Church in cities across South Carolina, including Lake Point, Greenwood, Ninety-Six, Rowesville, St. Stephen, and he has been in Pineville since 2003; and

Whereas, he earned a ministry doctorate from Erskine Theological Seminary in 2007 and is married to the former Tanya Pinckered; and

Whereas, he has served his community as a member of the Progressive Student Association at South Carolina State University since 1990, as a member of the Claflin College Prayer Breakfast Committee for the United Negro College Fund since 2003, and as the religion and race representative of the Orangeburg District of the United Methodist Church since 2004; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the ministry and service that Reverend Kenneth L. Smith, Sr., has provided to the citizens of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Kenneth L. Smith, Sr., of Orangeburg County, for his dedicated service to Pineville and St. Stephens United Methodist Churches.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Reverend Kenneth L. Smith, Sr.