H*4688 Resolution, By Stavrinakis, Harrell, Gilliard, Miller, Limehouse, Hutto, 
Sottile, Whipper, Battle, R.L. Brown, Daning, Horne, Mack, Scott and A.D. Young
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CHARLESTON MAYOR JOSEPH P. RILEY,
 JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF BEING NAMED A RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF
 ARTS FOR 2009.

   03/04/10  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-5

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CHARLESTON MAYOR JOSEPH P. RILEY, JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF BEING NAMED A RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS FOR 2009.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to learn that Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House on February 25, 2010; and

Whereas, the National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government and is awarded by the President of the United States to citizens or groups who merit recognition for their support of the arts; and

Whereas, awarded to two hundred fifty patrons and artists over the last twenty-five years, this lifetime achievement award recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals engaged in the creation and production of the arts in the United States; and

Whereas, the arts encompass arts education, crafts, dance, drawing, film, graphic and product design, interior design, landscape architecture, literature, classical and popular music, painting, patrons and advocates, photography, presenting, printmaking, sculpture, theater, and urban design; and

Whereas, Mayor Riley was honored for his role in cultivating historic and cultural resources to reinvigorate the city and in creating the National Mayors' Institute on City Design to enhance the use of urban spaces; and

Whereas, first elected in 1975, Mayor Riley has served the City of Charleston for thirty-five years as a champion of revitalization of the downtown area and it arts and historic character; and

Whereas, his efforts have encompassed persistent support for the Spoleto Festival U. S. A.; the development of Charleston Place, Waterfront Park, and the South Carolina Aquarium; and advocacy for a current downtown performing arts and civic center with a renovated Gaillard Auditorium at its core; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives congratulate Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., for receiving the prestigious National Medal of Arts and express their profound appreciation for his impact on the City of Charleston and our great State. 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 Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., upon the occasion of being named a recipient of the National Medal of Arts for 2009.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.