H*3364 Resolution, By Lourie
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
 FOR THOMPSON DENTAL COMPANY'S ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO THE SUPPORT
 OF THE PRACTICE AND ART OF DENTISTRY, AND RECOGNIZING ITS GENERATIONS OF
 LEADERSHIP IN AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HEALTH OF THIS STATE'S CITIZENS AND ITS
 ECONOMY.

   01/27/99  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-13

EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THOMPSON DENTAL COMPANY'S ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO THE SUPPORT OF THE PRACTICE AND ART OF DENTISTRY, AND RECOGNIZING ITS GENERATIONS OF LEADERSHIP IN AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HEALTH OF THIS STATE'S CITIZENS AND ITS ECONOMY.

Whereas, Thompson Dental Company began its existence as R. Atmarr Smith Company of Charleston in 1899, and was relocated to Columbia and renamed by James Perrin Thompson in 1914; and

Whereas, Mrs. Thompson continued to manage the company upon the death of Mr. Thompson in 1941, and was assisted in her efforts by son-in-law Fay Allen DesPortes; and

Whereas, Mr. DesPortes now serves as Chairman of the Board and his son Perrin acts as the company's President; and

Whereas, Mr. DesPortes' long career with Thompson Dental Company tracks the growth and changes in its operation; and

Whereas, he was one of only twelve employees in 1941, making deliveries to Columbia dentists by way of a bicycle with a basket on the handlebars; and

Whereas, during World War II, he traveled the State by bus or train, selling merchandise, teeth, gold, and equipment and servicing all the equipment he sold; and

Whereas, Mr. DesPortes continued to service a sales territory for twelve years after becoming President of the company in 1950; and

Whereas, in the 1980's, Thompson Dental Company recognized the developing technological advances in the dental industry and initiated computerized order entry and inventory management systems; and

Whereas, by the 1990's, the company had created one of the first Practice Management/Clinical Software programs designed for Windows 95. The 1990's also brought forth the innovative concept of packaging disposable products in custom designed "clean packs" to enhance patient perception and operatory efficiency; and

Whereas, today, Thompson Dental Company provides sales and services to Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida with nine branch locations, over three hundred employees, and one of the highest ratios of service technicians to sales representatives in the industry; and

Whereas, Thompson Dental's primary focus is still to maintain its commitment to provide high quality services and support to its customers, in partnership with dentists to achieve a successful, productive, and fulfilling practice. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina do hereby express their appreciation for Thompson Dental Company's one hundred years of commitment to the support of the practice and art of dentistry, and recognize its generations of leadership in and contributions to the health of this State's citizens and its economy.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Fay Allen DesPortes, Chairman of the Board.