S*0380 Resolution, By Davis
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE COURAGEOUS AND SELFLESS ACTIONS
 OF FIRST RESPONDERS, UTILITY WORKERS, LOCAL OFFICIALS, RESIDENTS AND OTHERS IN
 BEAUFORT COUNTY WHO RISKED THEIR OWN SAFETY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER HURRICANE
 MATTHEW IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR NEIGHBORS SAFE

   02/08/17  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 5)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE COURAGEOUS AND SELFLESS ACTIONS OF FIRST RESPONDERS, UTILITY WORKERS, LOCAL OFFICIALS, RESIDENTS AND OTHERS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY WHO RISKED THEIR OWN SAFETY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR NEIGHBORS SAFE

Whereas, with deep appreciation, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to commend the great sacrifice that first responders make to provide safe and secure communities for all our citizens; and

Whereas, on October 8, 2016, South Carolina was struck by Hurricane Matthew, a destructive and long-lived tropical cyclone that was the first Category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Felix in 2007; and

Whereas, because of Hurricane Matthews' torrential rains and powerful winds, South Carolina once again suffered tragic losses to life and property almost a year to the day after the Flood of the

Century had devastated the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, the threat of Hurricane Matthew's destructive force prompted the evacuation of many Beaufort County residents from their homes, required the evacuation of patients at local hospitals, and left many barrier islands inaccessible and their residents stranded; and

Whereas, downed trees and powerlines left thousands of people without power, rendered many roads unpassable, and flushed ocean water into city streets that caused risk to travel; and

Whereas, despite the great challenges posed by Hurricane Matthew, first responders and others rose the occasion, with national Guardsmen and law enforcement dutifully guarding areas where evacuations had been ordered and where power was out, utility workers enduring perilous conditions to restore electricity and potable water efficiently and swiftly, and neighbors looking after neighbors by answering countless calls for help; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate take great pride in commending these first responders, utility workers, local officials, residents and others who acted on behalf of their neighbors in Beaufort County, truly exemplifying the people of South Carolina at their finest. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the courageous and selfless actions of the first responders, utility workers, local officials and residents in Beaufort County who risked their own safety before, during and after Hurricane Matthew in order to keep their neighbors safe.