Bill 775

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       775
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  Senate
Introduced Date:                   19970521
Primary Sponsor:                   Matthews 
All Sponsors:                      Matthews 
Drafted Document Number:           res1456.jwm
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:      19970522
Subject:                           The Honorable Hazel S.
                                   Parson-Starkes, Resolutions

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________
Senate  19970522  Received from House
House   19970522  Introduced, adopted, returned
                  with concurrence
Senate  19970521  Introduced, adopted, sent to House

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE HAZEL S. PARSON-STARKES FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS OF LOYAL PUBLIC SERVICE AS THE MAYOR OF RIDGEVILLE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are saddened to learn that the Honorable Hazel S. Parson-Starkes is not seeking re-election as the Mayor of Ridgeville after seventeen years; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes is the daughter of the late Mr. Charles Snipes and Mrs. Edna D. Snipes and has a family of seven children, nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes was first elected as Mayor of Ridgeville to fill an unexpired term in 1979; and

Whereas, during her tenure as Mayor, Ridgeville has seen a plethora of growth, improvement and investment; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes was instrumental in securing numerous grants from the South Carolina Community Development Block Grant Program, the Farmer's Home Administration, the State Budget and Control Board and the Department of Health and Environmental Control; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes initiated a successful and widespread community effort that involved local fundraising and numerous volunteers to construct a playground, park and community center for sports, arts and cultural events; and

Whereas, in July 1996 the Town of Ridgeville was recognized for excellence in recreation programs when it was awarded the South Carolina Municipal Association's Achievement Award; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes established the Mayor's Task Force for Education, comprised of former educators, business persons and community residents, in order to identify the pertinent issues and challenges involved in educating young people in the area; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes is currently serving as a member of

the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the Clemson University Extension Service, the Governor's Job Training Council, the Bethel A.M.E. Church Missionary Society and the South Carolina Elected Women's Association; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes is also Chairperson of the Ridgeville Arts and Culture Council, Ex-Officio member of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chair and member of the Executive Board of the Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Council of Governments and is a member of many other public service affiliations too numerous to mention in this resolution; and

Whereas, Mayor Parson-Starkes' accomplishments have contributed to an overall reduction in unemployment and a general improvement in the quality of life for all the citizens of Ridgeville. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, hereby recognize and commend the Honorable Hazel S. Parson-Starkes for seventeen years of loyal public service as the Mayor of Ridgeville and on the occasion of her decision to not seek re-election, wish her much success in her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to

Mayor Hazel S. Parson-Starkes.