South Carolina General Assembly
121st Session, 2015-2016

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Bill 5259


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO LORRAINE EVANS, ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED AND BELOVED MEDIA FIGURES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AT THE CELEBRATION OF HER EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to note that Lorraine "Rainey" Evans celebrated her eightieth birthday on March 26, 2016, and the members are pleased to join her family and friends in saluting this gracious lady on the happy occasion; and

Whereas, Rainey Evans was a young marketing staffer at WCSC-TV when she was tapped to create the role of Happy Raine, a felicitous event that brought wholesome fun to generations of Charleston-area children and beyond; and

Whereas, the Happy Raine Show aired on WCSC-TV at the station's original downtown location on East Bay Street in Charleston from April 1960 through August 1980. To this day, fans recognize Rainey Evans, grin, and tell her how much they loved her and her show; and

Whereas, WCSC-TV news anchor Bill Sharpe, who watched Happy Raine as a child, confesses himself to have been one of the multitude of young boys who were smitten with the "Indian princess." Another fan expressed himself similarly in an online comment: "To a lot of us who were lads watching the show, she was our first crush." Speaking for all the children who watched the show, yet another admirer on the same website declared, "Happy Raine made us little kids feel special! I'll never forget her"; and

Whereas, in addition to her work at WCSC-TV, for more than a decade Rainey Evans worked for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), retiring in 1996. There, she served as director of development for the newly formed Children's Hospital Fund Board, composed of volunteers committed to raising money to support the MUSC Children's Hospital. Her major accomplishment was the establishment of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon, the board's most successful source of funds for a number of years; and

Whereas, before joining MUSC as an employee, Rainey Evans served as a volunteer and was instrumental in the building of the local Ronald McDonald House. Further, she established several annual fundraising events that are still productive today: Reindeer Run, Log A Load For Kids®, and Phone-a-Thon; and

Whereas, Dr. Charles Darby, who hired Rainey Evans at MUSC, says of her, "She was a true Charleston celebrity! She had hosted a children's television program for so many years that every adult had either seen it or actually been on the show and knew of Happy Raine. It was a natural transition for her to come to the hospital. She worked hard and put her heart and soul into developing a successful fund board to build a successful children's hospital. She got it started, and it continues to play a very important role in bringing excellent care to the children of our community"; and

Whereas, Rainey Evans's retirement has brought her adventures of a more relaxing kind. She has a lovely daughter and grandchildren she adores, she plays golf regularly, and she involves herself in the community; and

Whereas, the House takes great pleasure in honoring this truly lovely lady at the celebration of her eightieth birthday. And, since quite a few members still remember how to do her signature show sign-off, the House collectively points to itself and then the camera and raises its first two fingers together in greeting to Happy Raine! Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their congratulations to Lorraine Evans, one of the most recognized and beloved media figures in South Carolina, at the celebration of her eightieth birthday and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lorraine Evans.

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