S*1128 Resolution, By M.B. Williams, Bryan, A.E. Carmichael, Courson, Courtney, 
Drummond, H.U. Fielding, F. Gilbert, Hayes, R.L. Helmly, D.L. Hinds, 
C.T. Hinson, Holland, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, I.E. Lourie, A.S. Macaulay, 
J.A. Martin, S.S. Martschink, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, T.W. Mitchell, Moore, 
M.F. Mullinax, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Patterson, Peeler, T.H. Pope, Reese, 
M.T. Rose, Russell, Saleeby, Setzler, R.C. Shealy, J.V. Smith, N.W. Smith, 
H.S. Stilwell, Thomas, Washington and Wilson
 A Senate Resolution expressing appreciation and best wishes to Senator James
 M. Waddell, Jr., of Beaufort, for his extraordinary thirty-two year career as
 a member of the South Carolina Senate upon his leaving the Senate to become a
 member of the South Carolina Tax Commission.

   01/14/92  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-36

A SENATE RESOLUTION

EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND BEST WISHES TO SENATOR JAMES M. WADDELL, JR., OF BEAUFORT, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY THIRTY-TWO YEAR CAREER AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON HIS LEAVING THE SENATE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA TAX COMMISSION.

Whereas, on November 15, 1991, Governor Carroll Campbell announced his intention to appoint Senator James M. Waddell, Jr., of Beaufort to the South Carolina Tax Commission, effective January 17, 1992; and

Whereas, this appointment will bring to a close one of the most distinguished careers in the history of the South Carolina Senate; and

Whereas, Jim Waddell was first elected to the Senate in 1960 after having previously served in the House for four years and during his thirty-two years in the Senate, he served in many varied capacities and chaired a number of standing and other committees including, of course, the Senate Finance Committee; and

Whereas, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and as a member of the State Budget and Control Board, he has helped guide this State through periods of economic prosperity and economic uncertainty. There can be no greater tribute to his stewardship of South Carolina's fiscal and financial health than the fact that we presently have the highest credit rating issued by the rating organizations to any state and have endured the present economic recession not without difficulty but certainly without the terrible tribulations that have occurred in so many other states which in some cases face deficits in the billions of dollars and significant tax increases necessary to balance the books; and

Whereas, Jim Waddell is a 1947 graduate of The Citadel with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering which he earned when he returned to The Citadel after being called to active duty in 1943 while a cadet. He served his country in the European Theater during World War II with courage and valor earning numerous battle stars and decorations. During Senate debates, his remembrances of his World War II years always helped to entertain and enlighten the debate; and

Whereas, there also can be no doubt that he is one of the foremost champions of higher education in South Carolina. His service as trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Clemson University, and his service to the Medical University of South Carolina, to The Citadel, to the University of South Carolina, and to the other institutions of higher learning in this State is in a large measure responsible for improving the educational opportunities of many of our state's citizens who otherwise would not be able to attend college; and

Whereas, Jim Waddell also has a deep love of the outdoors which became apparent during the period when he served as Chairman of Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. His residence in Beaufort and the beauty of the Low Country have made him particularly supportive of South Carolina's magnificent natural environment and wildlife. He was the force behind the State's implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Act, and served as the Chairman of the South Carolina Coastal Council from its inception until 1988. These years speak to his lifetime of service to the natural heritage of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the Senator from Beaufort also served as the first Chairman of the Governor's Joint Committee on Mental Health and Mental Retardation and as Chairman of the National Task Force for the Education of the Handicapped. In these roles he assumed the responsibility to become a national ambassador for the rights of the handicapped which included public education, visitation, and testifying in nearly every state of the nation on behalf of handicapped children; and

Whereas, the respect in which he is held is evidenced by many awards and honors including his being named Outstanding Senator of the Year by the Greenville News, the Soil Conservationist of the Year by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and the Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, Jim Waddell understands the words duty and loyalty and no Senator has kept the dictates to listen quietly, to counsel wisely, to keep confidences discreetly, and to act courageously more than he; and

Whereas, it is with great sadness that his extraordinary career in the Senate now comes to a close, a career that has spanned so many years, that has witnessed so much change, that has endured some disappointment, and that has generated abundant hope; and

Whereas, the Senate will miss his standards of excellence, thoroughness, and efficiency, his courtesy and his humor. When historians look back on the South Carolina of the twentieth century and the leaders of our State during these exciting but demanding times, there can be no question the name of Jim Waddell will be at the top of the list along with the other great names of the Senate like Brown, Gressette, and Dennis; and

Whereas, his colleagues in the Senate, by this resolution, on their behalf and on behalf of his constituents and countless friends throughout our State would like to thank him for a job well done as he begins a new chapter in his life as a public servant of the people of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate hereby express their appreciation and best wishes to Senator James M. Waddell, Jr., of Beaufort, for his extraordinary thirty-two year career as a member of the South Carolina Senate upon his leaving the Senate to become a member of the South Carolina Tax Commission.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Senator Waddell.