H 5007  Concurrent Resolution, By Ballentine, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, 
Bailey, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, 
Brittain, Bryant, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Carter, Caskey, Chumley, Clyburn, 
Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B.Cox, W.Cox, Crawford, Dabney, Daning, Davis, 
Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Fry, Gagnon, Garvin, 
Gatch, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Haddon, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, 
Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, 
Hyde, Jefferson, J.E.Johnson, J.L.Johnson, K.O.Johnson, Jones, Jordan, King, 
Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Magnuson, Matthews, May, McCabe, McCravy, 
McDaniel, McGarry, McGinnis, McKnight, J.Moore, T.Moore, Morgan, D.C.Moss, 
V.S.Moss, Murphy, Murray, B.Newton, W.Newton, Nutt, Oremus, Ott, Parks, 
Pendarvis, Pope, Rivers, Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simrill, G.M.Smith, 
G.R.Smith, M.M.Smith, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Tedder, Thayer, Thigpen, Trantham, 
Weeks, West, Wetmore, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R.Williams, S.Williams, Willis, 
Wooten and Yow
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE MAJOR GENERAL STEPHEN B. "BRAD" OWENS,
 ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, UPON THE
 OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO SALUTE HIM FOR MORE THAN THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS OF
 EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND THE GUARD, AND
 TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO
 COME.

   02/22/22  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 43)
   02/23/22  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (Senate Journal-page 5)

TO CONGRATULATE MAJOR GENERAL STEPHEN B. "BRAD" OWENS, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO SALUTE HIM FOR MORE THAN THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS OF EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND THE GUARD, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice that the men and women of our armed forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, which are so richly enjoyed in these United States of America; and

Whereas, Stephen B. "Brad" Owens stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their respective states and nation. Over the course of his career, Major General Owens has served with a distinction that has earned him the respect of all who have had the privilege of working with him. Most recently, he has served as assistant adjutant general for the South Carolina National Guard (SCNG). This post has proven to be the culminating and concluding role of his nearly four-decade military career, which began in July 1984 and will close officially in March 2022; and

Whereas, during his tenure, this dynamic leader, visionary, and relationship builder has been an outstanding agent for continuous positive change within the organization in addressing and implementing an energetic focus on partnerships, force structure, and soldier care. He worked critical issues, including the National Commission for the Future of the Army, Aviation Restructuring Initiative, and cyber initiatives, that resulted in increased capabilities, readiness, and force structure in the SCNG. His tireless efforts and relationships with the Savannah River Site helped reduce the SCNG's deficit in training land with the lease of seven hundred fifty acres for training and infrastructure; and

Whereas, in addition, he established strong relationships with combatant commands worldwide that increased the SCNG support to over sixteen different countries. He was the catalyst for change in moving from Cold War era facilities to state-of-the-art facilities by partnering with academic institutions such as The Citadel, USC Upstate, and Greenville Tech; and

Whereas, Major General Owens provided personal mentorship to soldiers within the organization from enlisted through senior officer levels to sustain high morale and focus on attaining the adjutant general's vision of "People First" for the organization; and

Whereas, his distinguished leadership significantly contributed to the unprecedented transformation of the SCNG, and his insightful wisdom was key in the South Carolina Army National Guard's readiness during pivotal and demanding periods. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, the SCNG, and the United States Army. Grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Major General Owens has bestowed on this great State and nation, the General Assembly trusts he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of retirement days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate Major General Stephen B. "Brad" Owens, assistant adjutant general for the South Carolina National Guard, upon the occasion of his retirement, salute him for more than thirty-seven years of exceptionally meritorious service in the United States Army and the Guard, and extend best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in the years to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Major General Stephen B. Owens.