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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE JAMES E. SMITH, JR., OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives learned with sincere regret that Representative James E. Smith, Jr., will depart from the House of Representatives at the conclusion of his current term; and
Whereas, born in Columbia on September 9, 1967, to James E., Sr., and Nina Nelson Smith, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Carolina in 1990 and a juris doctorate degree in 1995; and
Whereas, in the patriotic tradition of a Palmetto son, he served in the United States Army Reserve from January 1996 until August 1998, as a Judge Advocate General's Corps officer. He then transferred to the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) in 1998, serving in the same role; and
Whereas, shortly after the tragic September 11 attacks, he visited the site of the event. The evidence of the destruction drove Major Smith to resign his commission and enlist as an infantryman, despite having to then complete Basic Training, Officer Candidacy School (OCS), and the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC). He excelled, finishing as the number one graduate of his Basic Training class against recruits nearly twenty years his junior and in the top of his class at both OCS and IOBC; and
Whereas, in February 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan with SCARNG's 218th Brigade Combat Team as an infantry officer in Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a combat advisor to the Afghan National Security Forces in remote areas of southern Afghanistan. He was selected to be one of the first Police Mentor Team Chiefs for an Afghan National Police (ANP) District Headquarters in one of Afghanistan's most infamously dangerous provinces; and
Whereas, during this tour, he received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart. He remains a member of the SCARNG with the rank of Major; and
Whereas, he married his beloved wife, Mary Kirkland Thomas, on February 9, 1991, and together they have four treasured children, James Emerson III, Thomas Bridges, Paul Bradford, and Shannon Elizabeth; and
Whereas, he is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Church of the Apostles. Furthermore, he founded his law firm, James E. Smith, Jr., P.A., in 1995, which is now located in historic Columbia's "Shannon Smith Stuckey House" and named in memory of his beloved sister. The firm provides representation to people in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, offering legal help to injured individuals, including members of the military, in addition to class action lawsuits, business law, and litigation services. He is also the President and CEO of The Congaree Group, LLC; and
Whereas, he has faithfully served the citizens of District 72 in the House of Representatives since 1997, during which time he has served on the Judiciary Committee; and
Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives will miss the keen and impassioned service that Mr. Smith, their friend and colleague, has given to the House of Representatives, and hope that he will enjoy deep fulfillment in the years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable James E. Smith, Jr., of Richland County for his dedicated service in the House of Representatives on behalf of his constituents and the citizens of South Carolina and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable James E. Smith, Jr.
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