A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR MARY "BRIDGETTE" PARKER COATES UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, COMMEND HER FOR THIRTY-FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Mary "Bridgette" Parker Coates upon the occasion of her retirement from the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments after an outstanding career spanning thirty-four years of exemplary public service; and

 

Whereas, Bridgette Coates began her distinguished career in July 1989 as a regional planner with the Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments, demonstrating early on her commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens throughout the region. In 1991, at the request of Executive Director Johnny Brown, she assumed leadership in establishing the Jobs Training Partnership Act program, laying a strong foundation for workforce development initiatives that would evolve over time into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. After leading the program for nine years, she temporarily stepped away in 1997 to devote her time to raising her children, returning in 2000 as a workforce developer and continuing her legacy of service for more than two additional decades; and

 

Whereas, throughout her tenure, Bridgette Coates has been instrumental in securing and managing numerous state, federal, and private grants that have provided critical workforce training opportunities for the Pee Dee region, always demonstrating humility by recognizing the collective efforts of her team and the Workforce Board; and

 

Whereas, among her many accomplishments, in 2020 she successfully authored, compiled, and coordinated a grant proposal that resulted in an award of five million dollars from the United States Department of Labor, providing essential training resources to healthcare institutions, including McLeod Regional Medical Center, and enabling countless individuals to enter the healthcare workforce and secure meaningful employment; and

 

Whereas, her work has included collaboration with major employers such as Harbor Freight, Honda, McLeod Regional Medical Center, Otis, and Perdue, resulting in strengthened partnerships that have enhanced workforce training and economic development throughout the region; and

 

Whereas, in 2024, she was again appointed director of workforce development and faithfully facilitated local workforce development board activities, ensured compliance with federal and state requirements, coordinated regional workforce initiatives, and maintained effective communication with stakeholders, including city and county governments across the Pee Dee, The workforce programs she has helped guide or been involved with have delivered millions of dollars in training and development funding, creating a profound economic impact on the Pee Dee region during her tenure; and

 

Whereas, a graduate of Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, she further earned a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University, which equipped her with the knowledge and leadership skills that have benefited the citizens of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, she is devoted to her family, being the beloved wife of Marty Coates and the proud mother of two adult children, Luke Coates and Rachel Edwards Coates, and she looks forward to retirement, when she will spend more time with her parents and her grandson, Benson Edwards. Further, she and her husband are covenant partners at First Presbyterian Church in Florence, where they continue to serve their community with faith and commitment; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House is grateful for Mary "Bridgette" Parker Coates' remarkable career and her lasting contributions to workforce development and the economic vitality of the Pee Dee region. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Mary "Bridgette" Parker Coates upon the occasion of her retirement, commend her for thirty-four years of dedicated public service, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mary "Bridgette" Parker Coates.

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