S*1284 Concurrent Resolution, By Elliott, Sheheen and Lourie
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND BOBBY T. JONES, OF CAMDEN,
 FOR THREE TERMS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION
 COMMISSION, AND TO WISH HIM SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   04/10/08  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-6
   04/14/08         Scrivener's error corrected
   04/15/08  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-28

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND BOBBY T. JONES, OF CAMDEN, FOR THREE TERMS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO WISH HIM SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the years of dedicated service that Bobby T. Jones has given to this State on the South Carolina Transportation Commission for the Fifth Congressional District, spanning three decades; and

Whereas, born in Bethune to the late Edna and Cramer Jones on April 17, 1933, Bobby Jones graduated from Wingate Junior College and Campbell University, and he earned a master's degree in administration from Western Carolina University; and

Whereas, in Rock Hill on February 21, 1960, he married his beloved Mary Elliott, of Cassatt, sister of Senator Dick Elliott, and they have one adoring daughter Susan, and one grandson, Elliott Holland Jones; and

Whereas, Bobby Jones first taught biology and history and coached both the boys' and girls' basketball teams at Midway High School in 1958, and then he taught for two years at Heath Springs while Mary went to school before they returned permanently to Kershaw County; and

Whereas, in the 1970's he and his wife, Dr. Mary Jones, were the only husband and wife serving as principals of elementary schools in South Carolina, and she served as superintendent of schools in Kershaw shortly before his retirement in 1991 and then as chairman of the State Board of Education in 1993; and

Whereas, although retired from his successful career in education, he continues to serve the schools of his community, a total of fifty-five years in education, by working with students in conflict management, and he works part time at the ALPHA Center; and

Whereas, in spite of such an active life, he found time to lead the Democratic Party in Kershaw County as its chairman for a number of years; and

Whereas, using innovative financing methods for the Department of Transportation that would become national models, Bobby Jones was instrumental in securing funding for the Conway By-Pass and the Carolina Bay Parkway, which have promoted tourism in our State and made travel for our citizens safer and more convenient; and

Whereas, in May 2000, the Bobby T. Jones Bridge, crossing the Wateree River on US 1/601 between Camden and Lugoff, was dedicated in Kershaw County, the naming of which was requested by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly, which cited his "many contributions made to the Fifth Congressional District and to his own Kershaw County"; and

Whereas, many attest that he also gave graciously of his time, expertise, and creativity to improve the transportation system in counties not in the Fifth Congressional District; and

Whereas, in his quasi-retirement, Bobby Jones intends to remain an active member and volunteer in his home church, First Baptist of Camden, and to continue reading avidly and golfing, but his supreme plan is to spend even more quality time with his adoring grandson; and

Whereas, upon the fulfillment of his third term on the Transportation Commission in April 2008, his family and friends from around the State plan a gala in his honor on May first in Camden; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly express profound gratitude to Bobby T. Jones for his years of devoted service to the citizens of this State. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and commend Bobby T. Jones, of Camden, for three terms of faithful service on the South Carolina Transportation Commission, and wish him success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Bobby T. Jones.