A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program upon its tenth anniversary And celebrate A decade of investment in the Youth of the State.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program upon its tenth anniversary; and

 

Whereas, founded in June 2016 in honor of the late Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program was established to carry forward his enduring legacy of faith, servant leadership, civic responsibility, and unwavering commitment to community. Created in the wake of profound loss, the program stands as a living tribute to Senator Pinckney's belief in the power and promise of young people and the responsibility of leadership rooted in service and integrity; and

 

Whereas, for ten years, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program has served as the premier youth leadership experience of South Carolina 4-H and Clemson Cooperative Extension, equipping middle and high school students with the skills, character, and civic awareness necessary to lead with humility, serve with compassion, and inspire with integrity; and

 

Whereas, over the past decade, the program has continued to excel in cultivating leadership capacity among young people, empowering them to make meaningful and measurable contributions within their schools, clubs, and communities across the State of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, this sustained commitment to developing the next generation of principled leaders is demonstrated through four dynamic pillars of engagement: Leadership Conference, Leadership Camp, Mentor Groups, and Leadership Roundup. Together, these experiences create a comprehensive leadership pipeline that supports students at multiple stages of development; and

 

Whereas, since its inception, the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program has impacted more than four thousand youth leaders and reached forty-two of South Carolina's forty-six counties, reflecting a deliberate commitment to statewide access and inclusion. Among the program's students who have graduated high school in the past two years, eighty percent have continued their education at colleges and universities within the State, demonstrating the program's strong emphasis on college readiness, workforce preparation, and long-term civic engagement; and

 

Whereas, as the program commemorates its tenth anniversary in 2026, it not only celebrates a decade of measurable impact, but also reaffirms its continued commitment to preparing principled, civic-minded leaders who are equipped to strengthen South Carolina's communities for generations to come; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program stands as a testament to the enduring power of leadership grounded in service, character, and purpose, and to the belief that investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways to honor the legacy of Senator Clementa C. Pinckney; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program upon its tenth anniversary, and celebrate a decade of investment in the youth of the State.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the South Carolina 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program.

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