A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE ROBERT EUGENE RYGGS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO OFFER BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.

 

Whereas, a native of Van Buren, Indiana, Robert Eugene Ryggs has served the State of South Carolina through the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) with distinction for twenty-eight years and soon will begin a well-deserved retirement; and

 

Whereas, over the years, he has served as the liaison to utilities in the roles of permit engineer, district utility coordinator, and now assistant director of right of way for utilities and railroads. His passion has been using common sense, communication, cooperation, and coordination to fulfill his duties and develop relationships throughout the industry; and

 

Whereas, he also has served his profession as president or chairman of all the Upstate Utility Coordination Committee (UCC) chapters at least once in his tenure and has participated in, and helped coordinate, state and local UCCs, as well as the North Carolina/South Carolina UCC annual conference; and

 

Whereas, as a firm believer in education, Robert holds a bachelor's degree in pastoral theology and an M.Ed. in School Administration from Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana. As a man of faith, he is a member of Grace Baptist Church in Liberty, South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, to further his education, he graduated from the SCDOT L.E.A.D. program in 2023 and also received his Certified Public Manager (CPM) credential. He currently sits on, and serves as chairman of, a national transportation research board committee on developing relationships between utilities and departments of transportation; and

 

Whereas, before he took up his duties with the SCDOT, Robert served as an assistant principal, principal, and high school teacher, as well as an assistant to the pastor in three local churches and Christian schools in Florida, Indiana, and Maryland; and

 

Whereas, in his spare time, Robert enjoys participating in politics, helping friends get elected, and pushing for sensible conservative legislation. He has served as chairman of the 4th District Republican Convention and currently serves as vice chairman of the 4th Congressional District Republican Club. In addition, he has been an elected South Carolina delegate or alternate to the last five Republican National Conventions; and

 

Whereas, Robert finds encouragement for his labors in the strong support of his family: his lovely wife of thirty-eight years, LaDonna, and the couple's two delightful children and five charming grandchildren. The senior Ryggses make their home in Greer; and

 

Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent excellence Robert Eugene Ryggs has bestowed on this State, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he enters retirement and trusts he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Robert Eugene Ryggs of the South Carolina Department of Transportation on the occasion of his retirement, extend deep appreciation for his twenty-eight years of distinguished service to the department, and offer best wishes for a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Robert Eugene Ryggs.

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