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S. 967
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Leatherman
Document Path: l:\s-res\hkl\018robe.jlp.doc
Introduced in the Senate on February 17, 2004
Adopted by the Senate on February 17, 2004
Summary: Robert W. Williams, Jr.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/17/2004 Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-6
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO COMMEND MR. ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, JR., OF FLORENCE COUNTY, FOR HIS LONG AND OUTSTANDING CAREER AS A PIONEER OF RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TO WISH HIM HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
Whereas, Mr. Robert W. Williams, Jr. began his illustrious career as Chief Engineer of the Oconee Electric Membership Cooperative when the State Department asked him to travel to Iran to survey rural electrification possibilities in Iran. During this visit to Iran, Mr. Williams met and briefed the Shah of Iran on several occasions; and
Whereas, the State Department asked Mr. Williams to lead the effort of planning and constructing five rural electric cooperatives in the Philippines. The venture was so successful that President Ferdinand Marcos presented Mr. Williams with the Order of the Golden Heart, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Philippine government; and
Whereas, after his time in Philippines, Mr. Williams returned to the United States to manage operations at the Pee Dee Electric Cooperative in Darlington. Under his direction, Pee Dee Electric became the state's first cooperative to serve a major industrial plant; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams built Pee Dee Electric as the number one electric cooperative in South Carolina and among the top five percent of electric cooperatives by using an efficient, cost-conscious operation; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams played a vital role in the creation of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, a satellite television service provider for rural homes and businesses. As chairman of the National Rural Telecommunication Cooperative, he negotiated a multi-million dollar contract to develop the Digital Satellite System for consumers across the country; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams' vision of an industrial park like no other in South Carolina led to the Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City located on Interstate 95 that has pre-permitted sites and full infrastructure allowing industries to purchase land and begin building more rapidly than ever before; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams' unbounded energy is one of the many reasons he has served as an officer on boards and commissions in the six counties served by Pee Dee Electric and on various state and national boards dealing with electric cooperatives and rural development. He is currently serving as a board member for Francis Marion University and Carolinas Hospital System; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams received the Presidents Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Order of the Palmetto; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams cherishes the love of his wife, Grace, and their daughter, Kim, and without whom none of his success would be possible; and
Whereas, Mr. Williams has led and motivated people beyond their expectations and in return has improved the lives of each person in the Pee Dee. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, commend Mr. Robert W. Williams, Jr. for his long and outstanding career as a pioneer of rural electrification and wish him health and happiness for many years to come.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Robert W. Williams, Jr.
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