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TO RECOGNIZE THE RICKENBAKER FAMILY OF DAVIS STATION AS THE LAST COTTON GIN OPERATORS IN CLARENDON COUNTY AND FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE COTTON INDUSTRY IN CLARENDON COUNTY.
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to recognize the Rickenbaker family of Clarendon County for their hard work and dedication to the cotton industry; and
Whereas, the Rickenbaker family business has been operating since 1945 when Henry B. Rickenbaker, Sr., purchased the cotton gin from the grandfather of State Representative Alex Harvin III; and
Whereas, the Rickenbaker Gin is now under the operation of Mr. Rickenbaker's sons, H. Burchell Rickenbaker, Jr., and his brother, Mannie W. "Rick" Rickenbaker. Their father is still involved in the business, but not in the operation of the gin; and
Whereas, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1792 and cotton gins continue to operate basically under the same concept. However, the Rickenbaker Gin is faster than the older gins and removes moisture, seeds, and trash from the lint; and
Whereas, although most cotton was ginned locally many years ago with gins at every crossroads, due to the changes in the transportation of cotton, the Rickenbaker Gin handles cotton from Clarendon, Williamsburg, and Florence counties; and
Whereas, the Rickenbaker Gin operates during the cotton season, mid-September to mid-December. People traveling through the area come to the Rickenbaker Gin to learn about the cotton business, including visitors from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and other European countries; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are proud to recognize the Rickenbaker family for its continued enthusiasm for the cotton industry in Clarendon County. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly are pleased to recognize the Rickenbaker family of Davis Station as the last cotton gin operators in Clarendon County and their commitment to the cotton industry in Clarendon County.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Rickenbaker family of Davis Station.
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