A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE THE HONORABLE JACQUELINE G. JENKINS, CHIEF MAGISTRATE FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY, UPON HER RETIREMENT AFTER YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina should pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Jacqueline Jenkins for her significant contributions to the judicial system in Dorchester County; and

Whereas, Judge Jenkins grew up in Florence County in a close-knit family where a commitment to Christ and service to others were her lifelong model. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology/social work from South Carolina State University, a master's degree in rehabilitative counseling, and a doctorate in Christian humanities from the School of the Great Commission Theological Seminary; and

Whereas, as a licensed master social worker, she completed further studies at The Citadel and the University of South Carolina. She holds management certifications from Duke University, the University of Tennessee, and the Crosby Quality College of Orlando, Florida. For over three decades, Judge Jenkins worked to ensure the safety and well-being of children, older adults, and families in Dorchester County. Having served for fifteen years as the county director, she received numerous honors for her work, including commendation recorded in the Congressional Records; and

Whereas, appointed as magistrate judge for Dorchester County in May 2006, she served concurrently as municipal court judge for the Town of St. George, along with magistrate responsibilities, from 2008 through 2015. She was appointed to serve as chief magistrate for Dorchester County in 2021; and

Whereas, a faithful member of the St. Mark United Methodist Church (UMC), Judge Jenkins serves the church as lay leader, Caring Group Leader chairperson, and lay member to the Annual Conference. She has served the denomination as chair of the South Carolina Annual Conference Delegation to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences of the UMC and as lay delegate for the 2016, 2019, and the Postponed 2020 General/Jurisdictional conferences. She is a former executive board member and secretary of the National Association of Conference & District Directors Lay Servant Ministries; and

Whereas, she served her denomination as a board member of the South Carolina Conference and of the Walterboro District Committee boards of Ordained Ministry and Conference Fair Hearing Committee; a member of the South Carolina Annual Conference UMC Connectional Ministries; chairperson of Superintendency Committee; and board member of Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company; and

Whereas, dedicated to her profession, Judge Jenkins served on the executive board and is a lifetime member of the South Carolina Summary Court Judges' Association and of the National Judicial Association, and she maintains South Carolina Magistrate/Municipal Judge Board Certification. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. she is active with the Summerville Alumnae Chapter. She served her community as the former president of the St. George Rotary Club of which she is a current member, and she is a current member of the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce; and

Whereas, with her motto, "make a difference," she is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina '96, and is a life member of the South Carolina State University Alumni Association. Together with her beloved husband, Dr. Kenneth Jenkins, she reared a fine son, Kendrick. He and his wife blessed her with the affection of a loving granddaughter, Raven; and

Whereas, grateful for her many years of distinguished service to Dorchester County, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Jackie Jenkins as she transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize the Honorable Jacqueline G. Jenkins, Chief Magistrate for Dorchester County, upon her retirement after years of outstanding service, and wish her much happiness in her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Jacqueline G. Jenkins.

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