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JOINING THE CITIZENS OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY AND THE STAFF AND RESIDENTS OF THE METHODIST OAKS IN EXPRESSING THEIR SORROW AT THE DEATH OF MARY ELIZABETH PHELPS THOMAS AND THEIR OUTRAGE AT THE CONTINUED TOLL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TAKES ON THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, Mary Elizabeth Phelps Thomas of Orangeburg County was killed April 23, 2004, by a gunshot wound to the head in an all-too-familiar outburst of domestic violence; and
Whereas, as often happens, the tragic event was witnessed by Ms. Thomas' two children, her parents, and two of her eight siblings; and
Whereas, the horror of her death was magnified by the irony of its occurrence during the weeklong observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 18-24; and
Whereas, its outrage also shocked and grieved the staff and residents of The Methodist Oaks in Orangeburg, where Mrs. Thomas was a much-loved and reliable member of the dietary staff; and
Whereas, as the epidemic of domestic violence continues to take more and more lives, it becomes a distressing and outrageous plague touching the lives of more and more people -- all struggling to understand how such horror can be endured personally or officially. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina hereby join the citizens of Orangeburg County and the staff and residents of The Methodist Oaks in expressing their sorrow at the death of Mary Elizabeth Phelps Thomas and their outrage at the continued toll domestic violence takes on the people of South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Mary Elizabeth Phelps Thomas and to the Reverend Michael Bruce, Chairman of the Board, The Methodist Oaks.
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