H*5101 Resolution, By Lucas, Williams, Alexander, Henegan, Spires, Hayes and 
Lowe
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR DARLINGTON VENEER COMPANY AT THE CELEBRATION OF
 ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, TO CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY ON A CENTURY OF
 OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED
 SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

   03/08/18  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 114)

TO HONOR DARLINGTON VENEER COMPANY AT THE CELEBRATION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, TO CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY ON A CENTURY OF OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Darlington Veneer Company is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2018; and

Whereas, a third-generation family-owned company that manufactures hardwood plywood, Darlington Veneer Company owns a history that goes back to 1918, the year Sherman Ramsey founded the company in Darlington on its present plant site. The company, one of the oldest and most successful manufacturers of quality hardwood plywood products in the nation, is also a long-standing leader in environmental safety and conservation. Lifetimes of dedication (some employees have served for more than forty years) have gone into the creation of the company's currently available products. Despite wars, a depression, and several recessions, Darlington Veneer has endured and prospered; and

Whereas, in 1915, company founder Sherman Ramsey moved himself and his wife, Helen Colt Ramsey, along with their children, to the Pee Dee area of South Carolina, where his mother had grown up. Three years later in 1918, Darlington Veneer Company opened its doors. Sherman Ramsey was actively involved with the daily operation of Darlington Veneer until his death in 1965 at the age of seventy-five. His son, Jack, took up the reins of the business and was always very involved in running it, as well as another family endeavor, Diamond Hill Plywood. In time, twin sons were born to Jack and his wife, Esther: John C. Ramsey and James H. "Jim" Ramsey. The two boys took an interest in the companies the Ramsey family had built, and today John and Jim often can be found at Darlington Veneer, keeping a firm grip on the business at hand. The brothers are carrying on the high level of quality in products and service established by company founder Sherman Ramsey; and

Whereas, one of the company's proudest moments occurred during World War II. The war had brought on shortages of saw-logs, which were needed to build trucks, freight cars, freight planes, and cargo ships to rush food and supplies to the battlefront. Darlington Veneer placed local ads urging timber owners to "Cut them NOW. Trees cut from farm woodlands will help win the war as much as weapons in the hands of our fighting men." Local farmers and landowners responded, and vast quantities of heavy-duty plywood panels were manufactured in the company's mills for the Maritime Commission. These were used as bulkhead panels in the hardy Liberty ships. For its patriotic effort, Darlington Veneer was granted the Army-Navy "E" Award for "Excellence in Production" of war equipment, the highest honor that could be given to a business in wartime; and

Whereas, the long-term success of the company is based on steadfast adherence to Sherman Ramsey's uncomplicated logic: "Meet customers' needs", and the Ramsey family, along with long-time General Manager, Reggie Hubbard, who retired after forty-seven years with the company, and his successor, Pat Lynch, honor that logic to this day; and

Whereas, to commemorate its centennial year, on April 27, 2018, Darlington Veneer will host open houses, mill tours, a luncheon, and an evening centennial celebration; and

Whereas, appreciative of its contributions to the prosperity of the Palmetto State, the House of Representatives is delighted to salute Darlington Veneer Company on a century of excellence in serving the citizens of South Carolina and beyond. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Darlington Veneer Company at the celebration of its one hundredth anniversary, congratulate the company on a century of outstanding entrepreneurial endeavors, and extend best wishes for continued success in the years to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Darlington Veneer Company.