A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE and honor jim roberts for his efforts in founding the good shepherd medical clinic and to honor the clinic on the thirtieth anniversary of its founding.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Jim Roberts, the founder of the Good Shepherd Medical Clinic; and

 

Whereas, Jim Roberts is an alumnus of West Virginia University. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he served for two years in Japan during the Korean War; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Roberts began his career in marketing and advertising on Madison Avenue in New York City. After two years in New York, he moved with his family to assignments with companies in North and South Carolina. In 1977, he and his family moved to Clinton, where he joined Collins and Aikman to introduce and market a new product; and

 

Whereas, in the early sixties, his four children nearing graduation from college, Mr. Roberts took up biking. Over the next few years, he rode across several states, including Virginia, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, and parts of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Between biking trips, he took flying lessons and received his pilot's license in 1993; and

 

Whereas, when Mr. Roberts learned that there was a critical need for non-emergency health care for residents who did not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid and could not afford private insurance, he called on city, county, and church leaders to gauge their interest in supporting a free clinic. He enlisted Betty Green, an energetic school nurse and civic volunteer, to recruit nurses, pharmacists, and screeners for the program. From the beginning, Betty served as his right hand in operating the clinic; and

 

Whereas, the clinic was created through the community-wide efforts of people such as Claude Crocker of Clinton Mills, who recruited members of the sheriff's department to provide safety for the clinic's staff and patients during the evening; Nancy VonHollen, a talented musician and homemaker who asked church circles to take turns bringing snacks to the clinic; W. Paul Culbertson, a local attorney who handled the legal requirements for the clinic, including the clinic's non-profit status; and many others; and

 

Whereas, a total of eighty-two Laurens County citizens committed to volunteer at Good Shepherd Medical Clinic. Doctors provided sample medicines that were collected and repackaged into prescription bottles. A man from South America who worked for a tool company in the county volunteered to translate for Hispanic patients, and Holly Saunders created the Good Shepherd logo; and

 

Whereas, on September 8, 1994, Good Shepherd opened its doors for the first time to a long line of needy Laurens County citizens. Mr. Roberts and other volunteers welcomed their new patients with applause; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Roberts is married to Janet Roberts, and together, they have four children; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that Jim Roberts and the staff and volunteers of the Good Shepherd Medical Clinic have 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 Roberts for his efforts in founding the Good Shepherd Medical Clinic and honor the clinic on the thirtieth anniversary of its founding.

 

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

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