A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Jim Fitch upon the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary as the executive director of the Rice Museum.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Jim Fitch upon the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary as the executive director of the Rice Museum in Georgetown; and

 

Whereas, a native of Southern California, Mr. Fitch received two degrees from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has studied art and history extensively abroad, first at Furgusson College of Deccan University in Pune, India, and then as a student of Dr. Terisio Pignatti, director of the prestigious Correr Museum in Venice, Italy. While residing in Venice, Mr. Fitch lived beside Peggy Guggenheim, and had the opportunity to study her important collection of twentieth-century art; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Fitch has authored many publications and lectures, and he has produced a number of films and other commissioned works. He has taught for many years as an adjunct faculty member of Coker College, and he is also an accomplished watercolor painter; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Fitch began his career as the executive director of the Rice Museum in 1976. His first major project was an installation concerning the raising and recovery of the Brown's Ferry Vessel, a shipwrecked colonial vessel, which was begun in 1979 and finalized in 1991; and

 

Whereas, during his tenure, Mr. Fitch has overseen the installation of many renovations and projects in the museum, including the installation of Lafayette Park adjacent to the Town Clock; acquisition and restoration of the Kaminski Hardware Building; the creation of the Herb Garden and the establishment of the Herb Society; the presentation of "The Mystery of San Miguel," a celebration of Spanish influence in South Carolina; and many other important developments in the museum's history; and

 

Whereas, in 2001, Mr. Fitch published Pass the Pilau, Please, a history of rice planting in South Carolina, as well as a collection of Low Country rice recipes. Mr. Fitch celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of his book in 2026; and

 

Whereas, over the years, Mr. Fitch has received a number of honors and awards, including the Governor's Heritage Tourism Award and the Governor's Award in Humanities; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that Mr. Fitch 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 Jim Fitch upon the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary as the executive director of the Rice Museum.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Fitch.

----XX----