South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022

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Bill 3637


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR HAL D. TOWNSEND, SR., UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECENT RETIREMENT, TO EXPRESS DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS SIXTY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, for sixty years, the people of South Carolina enjoyed the benefit of the committed and experienced leadership of Hal D. Townsend, Sr., who in June 2020 retired after a distinguished career as an educator and school administrator whose positive impact as a mentor of teachers and shaper of young minds has few equals; and

Whereas, a native of Dillon County, Hal embarked on his career in education in 1961, shortly after graduating from Wake Forest. His first job was with the public schools in his hometown of Lake View as a physical science and physical education teacher to seventh- and eighth-graders. In 1963, Hal was offered a position teaching U.S. history to eleventh graders. He has an enduring passion for history and continues to enlighten friends and family with amazing stories of factual, and sometimes semi-factual, events that occurred; and

Whereas, in 1966, the principal's position became available at Lake View High School, Hal's alma mater. Because of his young age and ability to relate to the students, Hal was offered the position. To advance his career, he later earned a master's degree from Appalachian State University during the summers; and

Whereas, during his twenty-five years as principal, he was instrumental in ushering in desegregation in Dillon County while working with students and teachers to ensure their success. His reputation for fair and unbiased treatment of students, faculty, and staff was fundamental to his successful leadership style; and

Whereas, Hal retired in 1991 after a rewarding thirty years in Lake View. His plans were to travel with his wife, Katrina, assist with her renowned catering business, and play golf. After a few years of enjoying retirement and serving as a consultant, Hal was convinced by persistent friends to return to the field of education as headmaster of Pee Dee Academy in nearby Marion County; and

Whereas, in 1995, Hal began his service in private education, finding at Pee Dee Academy another home for the next twenty-five years. Hal, or "Mr. T," as the staff and students called him, became instrumental in reinvigorating and developing the school, which under his nurturing leadership became a thriving and vital institution in the Pee Dee region. A man of great humility, he always attributed the school's successes to his faculty, staff, board members, family, and friends. Not coincidentally, their admiration, devotion, and affection for Mr. T knew no limits; and

Whereas, in June 2020, Hal retired from professional life, including from the venerable position of "oldest headmaster" in South Carolina. He will tell you that he is forever indebted to his Lake View High and Pee Dee Academy families for giving him sixty years of love and respect simply for doing what he loved; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House, grateful for his distinguished service to education in our State, takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Hal Townsend as he enjoys his richly deserved retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Hal D. Townsend, Sr., upon the occasion of his recent retirement, express deep appreciation for his sixty years of outstanding service as an educator, and wish him continued success and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Hal D. Townsend, Sr.

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