S*0786 Resolution, By Setzler
 A SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING ONE HUNDRED FIFTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING,
 DEDICATED SERVICE OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WHO STARTED
 PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL IN RICHLAND COUNTY IN 1938 AND EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE
 AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO THE SISTERS
 FOR THEIR DECADES OF SERVICE AND EXTRAORDINARY HEALTHCARE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

   09/19/01  Senate Introduced and adopted

RECOGNIZING ONE HUNDRED FIFTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING, DEDICATED SERVICE OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WHO STARTED PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL IN RICHLAND COUNTY IN 1938 AND EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO THE SISTERS FOR THEIR DECADES OF SERVICE AND EXTRAORDINARY HEALTHCARE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine came to America from France in 1851 and began their healthcare ministry in Cleveland, Ohio as Cleveland's first public health nurses; and

Whereas, in 1938, at the invitation of Bishop Emmett M. Walsh of Charleston, the Sisters' ministry and mission expanded to Columbia, South Carolina, where they were given a small piece of property and ten thousand dollars by the church to start a hospital; and

Whereas, the Sisters mortgaged their motherhouse raising one hundred thousand dollars and with their gift from the church began Providence Hospital; and

Whereas, since Providence Hospital's inception, one thing has remained constant - the dedication and commitment of the Sisters of Charity to providing the highest quality of care to the residents of Richland and Lexington Counties and to South Carolinians throughout the State; and

Whereas, as a result of their community life of prayer and service, the Sisters, in conjunction with their distinguished hospital leadership, have expanded the hospital to include Providence Hospital Northeast and the Providence Heart Institute, a heart treatment center renowned in the Southeast; and

Whereas, throughout their service in the Columbia area, the Sisters of Charity have established many other ministries including the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, a strong funding source for healthcare programs serving those in need, and the Healthy Learners program which provides healthcare services to disadvantaged school children; and

Whereas, the Sisters of Charity continue to be courageous in their ministries and exceptional in their capacity to provide loving care to many communities where they have also established hospitals, orphanages, a home for unwed mothers, and the first inpatient hospital unit for alcoholics; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to have the opportunity to recognize the extraordinary dedication and outstanding healthcare service provided through the love and devotion of the Sisters of Charity. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize one hundred and fifty years of outstanding, dedicated service of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine who started Providence Hospital in Richland County in 1938 and express gratitude and appreciation for their decades of service and extraordinary healthcare in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine.