S*0901 Resolution, By Land
 A SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE CALVIN JOYNER, SR.,
 ONE OF LEE COUNTY'S ABLEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LEADERS AND OFFERING THE
 SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO HIS
 WONDERFUL FAMILY AND COUNTLESS FRIENDS.

   06/22/99  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-5

HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE CALVIN JOYNER, SR., ONE OF LEE COUNTY'S ABLEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LEADERS AND OFFERING THE SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO HIS WONDERFUL FAMILY AND COUNTLESS FRIENDS.

Whereas, The Honorable Calvin Joyner, Sr., was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 26, 1999, while hundreds of friends and neighbors turned out to pay their respects; and

Whereas, he was the loving husband of Jewel Brady Joyner and a devoted father to: daughter, Beverly Johnson, and son, John Joyner, Jr.; and

Whereas, following fifteen years of service as a Lee County Magistrate, Judge Joyner ran for Lee County Council in 1972 and served continuously as a county councilman until he retired at the end of 1990. His first election was the only one in which he had opposition; and

Whereas, he is the only person, to this day, to have served two nonconsecutive terms as Chairman of the Lee County Council; and

Whereas, as one public official said, "At a time when county government was becoming more difficult, Calvin Joyner was part of a moving force that brought us from the horse and buggy county government days into the 20th century. He was one of Lee County's most effective leaders in the 1970's."; and

Whereas, in 1975, Lee County had a chance to clinch a deal that would bring the American National Can Company and South Atlantic Canners into the county. The catch was the county had to come up with seventy thousand dollars for the project and at that time, they had no funds available. Calvin Joyner was instrumental in finding a way to secure the funds necessary to bring these industries to Lee County; and

Whereas, Calvin Joyner's tireless efforts also brought a state prison to Lee County that currently provides more than five hundred jobs for qualifying county citizens; and

Whereas, one of Calvin Joyner's boldest ventures came when he convinced others that the county needed to purchase land for the James Industrial Park on South Carolina Highway 341 near Interstate 20. He was severely criticized by many county residents for using county money to purchase a "hay field". Calvin Joyner never flinched from the criticism and countered by saying he wanted to provide good jobs for every citizen of Lee County. The James Industrial Park is now home to six separate industries and has resulted in more than four miles of water and sewer services being laid along Highway 341; and

Whereas, The Honorable Calvin Joyner was a man-for-the-times as he labored to develop his beloved county. Being a successful merchant and farmer, he could have missed the "slings and arrows" of public service. He had a vision for the county that was not always understood or shared. Some of his ideas laid the groundwork for projects that benefit the county today; and

Whereas, it is most befitting for the South Carolina Senate to pause in their deliberations to recognize the distinguished career and contributions of this prominent public servant, The Honorable Calvin Joyner. His love for Lee County was the central vision of his life and Calvin Joyner's imprint is left firmly on his community, county, and the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor the memory of The Honorable Calvin Joyner, Sr., one of Lee County's ablest and most distinguished leaders and offer their sincere condolences to his wonderful family and countless friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his family.