S*0665 Concurrent Resolution, By Knotts, Alexander, Anderson, Bright, Bryant, 
Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Fair, Ford, 
Grooms, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, 
L. Martin, S. Martin, Massey, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Nicholson, O'Dell, 
Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Rose, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, 
Shoopman, Thomas, Verdin and Williams
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY
 STAFF SERGEANT WILLIE JAMES HARLEY, JR., OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL
 GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO
 EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION
 FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

   03/03/11  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 12)
   03/08/11  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (House Journal-page 51)

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY STAFF SERGEANT WILLIE JAMES HARLEY, JR., OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Whereas, with deep appreciation, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly honor, on behalf of all South Carolinians, the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of liberty and justice so richly enjoyed in this nation; and

Whereas, a native of Aiken, Willie Harley played football as a defensive tackle for Aiken High School, and went to work at Graniteville Mills after graduation; and

Whereas, after working in the mills for a year, he joined the Army Reserves, but he continued his football enthusiasm by coaching East Aiken Elementary's squad; and

Whereas, in July of 2010, he answered the call of his country to serve his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, and he deployed with his unit, the 1221st Engineer Clearance Company of the Army National Guard from Graniteville, whose mission was to clear roadways for military convoys; and

Whereas, on October 1, 2010, at the age of forty-eight, Staff Sergeant Willie James Harley, Jr., gave his life in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device; and

Whereas, he has left behind five fine children: Christopher Fuller who was stationed with him in Afghanistan at the time of his death; Allison Fuller, Calvin Fuller, Desmond Fuller, and Willie Harley III; and

Whereas, there is no greater or braver sacrifice for a man to make for his country than to lay down his life; therefore, for his valor, Staff Sergeant Willie James Harley, Jr., received the Palmetto Patriot Award from former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to remember the life and sacrifice of one of our nation's brave sons and heroes, Staff Sergeant Willie James Harley, Jr. Now, therefore,

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

That he members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor and remember the supreme sacrifice made by Staff Sergeant Willie James Harley, Jr., of the South Carolina Army National Guard while he was serving a tour of military duty in Afghanistan, and express to his family the profound appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his life, sacrifice, and service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Staff Sergeant Willie James Harley, Jr.