H*3611 Resolution, By J.H. Neal, Agnew, Alexander, Allen, Allison, Anderson, 
Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Bannister, Barfield, Battle, Bedingfield, Bingham, 
Bowen, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Brantley, G.A. Brown, H.B. Brown, R.L. Brown, 
Cato, Chalk, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Daning, 
Delleney, Dillard, Duncan, Edge, Erickson, Forrester, Frye, Funderburk, 
Gambrell, Gilliard, Govan, Gullick, Gunn, Haley, Hamilton, Hardwick, Harrell, 
Harrison, Hart, Harvin, Hayes, Hearn, Herbkersman, Hiott, Hodges, Horne, Hosey, 
Howard, Huggins, Hutto, Jefferson, Jennings, Kelly, Kennedy, King, Kirsh, 
Knight, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, McEachern, 
McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Millwood, Mitchell, Moss, Nanney, J.M. Neal, Neilson, 
Ott, Owens, Parker, Parks, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Rice, Rutherford, 
Sandifer, Scott, Sellers, Simrill, Skelton, D.C. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, 
J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stewart, Stringer, 
Thompson, Toole, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, 
Williams, Willis, Wylie, A.D. Young and T.R. Young
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER EXCELLENCY MRS. OLUWATOYIN
 SARAKI, FIRST LADY OF KWARA STATE IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, FOR HER
 EXTENSIVE HUMANITARIAN WORK, AND TO WELCOME HER TO SOUTH CAROLINA AS SHE
 VISITS THE BENEDICT COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM IN COLUMBIA ON
 FEBRUARY 25, 2009.

   02/25/09  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-9

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER EXCELLENCY MRS. OLUWATOYIN SARAKI, FIRST LADY OF KWARA STATE IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, FOR HER EXTENSIVE HUMANITARIAN WORK, AND TO WELCOME HER TO SOUTH CAROLINA AS SHE VISITS THE BENEDICT COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PROGRAM IN COLUMBIA ON FEBRUARY 25, 2009.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Her Excellency Oluwatoyin Saraki, First Lady of Kwara State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will visit the Benedict College International Studies Program in Columbia on February 25, 2009; and

Whereas, known for her compassionate humanitarian labors, Her Excellency began seeking to help others as a student in England, where she worked on behalf of the aged and other worthy causes; and

Whereas, as a private citizen, Mrs. Saraki engaged in quiet philanthropic gestures that culminated in the establishment of The Lifestream Charity, which enables children with heart deformities to experience corrective surgeries, sponsors scholarships for indigent students, sends relief to disaster victims, and builds schools for communities; and

Whereas, when her husband was elected Governor of Kwara State in 2003, Mrs. Saraki set up The Kwara WellBeing Trust to provide nongovernmental support for the humanitarian activities of the state government. Within four years, her advocacy drives brought an astronomical rise in the level of enrollment and completion of education for children, particularly girls. Among other achievements, she has helped improve the lives of people with special needs; and

Whereas, at the national level, she is one of the most outspoken voices for the attainment of national goals aimed at an appreciable reduction in the rate of maternal and infant mortalities. She is also a foremost advocate for the rights of children, and she has established a fund that lends succor to indigent pregnant women; and

Whereas, for her contributions to the emancipation of women and children in Nigeria, Her Excellency has received several awards, including Advocate of Excellence for Maternal and Child Health from the Association of Resident Doctors, granted by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Chapter; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives wish the First Lady a pleasant visit to the Palmetto State and Columbia's Benedict College, as well as continued success as she seeks to serve the people of Kwara State in Nigeria. 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 honor Her Excellency Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki, First Lady of Kwara State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her extensive humanitarian work, and welcome her to South Carolina as she visits the Benedict College International Studies Program in Columbia on February 25, 2009.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Her Excellency Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki.