S*1359 Resolution, By Setzler, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Bright, Bryant, 
Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Corbin, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Fair, 
Gambrell, Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, Johnson, Kimpson, 
Leatherman, Malloy, L. Martin, S. Martin, Massey, J. Matthews, M.B. Matthews, 
McElveen, Nicholson, Peeler, Rankin, Reese, Sabb, Scott, Shealy, Sheheen, 
Thurmond, Turner, Verdin, Williams and Young
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND COMMEND SENATOR JOEL LOURIE FOR HIS MANY
 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO RICHLAND AND KERSHAW COUNTIES AND THE
 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
 RETIREMENT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

   05/31/16  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 8)

TO HONOR AND COMMEND SENATOR JOEL LOURIE FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO RICHLAND AND KERSHAW COUNTIES AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Whereas, after more than sixteen years of public service to the State of South Carolina, Senator Joel Lourie will retire from the State Senate upon completion of the 2016 legislative session; and

Whereas, Senator Lourie was first elected to the State Senate in 2004 to represent Richland and Kershaw Counties in Senate District 22. He had previously served in the House of Representatives representing District 78 from 1999 to 2004; and

Whereas, a native of Columbia, Senator Lourie is a graduate of Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina. He is married to Becky Baum Lourie and is the father of two children, Rachel and Sam; and

Whereas, Senator Lourie followed in his father's, the late Senator Isadore Lourie, footsteps when he decided to enter public service. He currently serves on the Senate Finance, Banking and Insurance, Medical Affairs, General, and Rules Committees; and

Whereas, during his time in the State Senate, Senator Lourie has been a passionate advocate for providing healthcare services to those who need them. He has received numerous awards for his support of those with disabilities, autism, abused and neglected children, and teens dealing with substance abuse. He received the 2011 Recognition Award from the March of Dimes for his commitment to access to health care coverage for pregnant women and children in South Carolina and the 2009 Champion of Health Care Award from the South Carolina Medical Association for his leadership and service to the field of medicine and support of quality health care for all South Carolinians. Senator Lourie fought zealously for the expansion of Medicaid in South Carolina after the passage of the Affordable Care Act; and

Whereas, Sen. Lourie has also been actively involved in passage of legislation as it relates to drunk-driving issues. He was recognized by the South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals & Advocates and the South Carolina State Child Fatality Advisory Committee for his sponsorship of comprehensive legislation to deal with underage drinking and repeat DUI offenders and he was the 2014 and 2015 Legislator of the Year, awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, for his tireless efforts in supporting and advancing the missions of MADD and for his work to pass Emma's Law; and

Whereas, a strong supporter of driver and car safety, Sen. Lourie was instrumental in the passage of the seatbelt and DUI reform laws in 2008. He received the Seat belt Championship Award of 2006 for his advocacy of seat belt and child safety seat usage, and in 2001, earned the Alliance for SC's Child Advocacy Leadership Award for leadership on legislation requiring seatbelts for minors; and

Whereas, in addition to his service in the State Senate, Sen. Lourie is active in his community. He serves in various positions with the Columbia Jewish Community Center, the Richland District Two Reconnecting Communities and Schools Board, the Richland Two Business Advisory Council, and the National Federation of the Blind; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are deeply grateful for the years of remarkable and devoted public service and friendship Sen. Lourie has bestowed on all of the members of the Senate and will always remember him as he dearly referred to himself as a "brother from a different mother" and never forget his sportsman side, which for him means a trip to the Fresh Market. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, honor and commend Senator Joel Lourie for his many years of dedicated public service to Richland and Kershaw Counties and the State of South Carolina and wish him much success and happiness on the occasion of his retirement from the South Carolina General Assembly.

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