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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RHETT BICKLEY IN THE FIELD OF URBAN FORESTRY, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS LONG STANDING DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF LEXINGTON AND TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Rhett Bickley for his skilled service in urban forestry; and
Whereas, a graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, Rhett Bickley earned a bachelor's degree in forestry from Clemson University in 1964 and a master's degree in media arts from the University of South Carolina in 1981; and
Whereas, he married his beloved wife, Nancy, in 1966, and together they reared four fine children, who have blessed them with four adoring grandsons; and
Whereas, as the first urban forester in South Carolina, Rhett Bickley worked with the South Carolina Forestry Commission from 1966 to 2000 and was named the Clemson University Outstanding Forestry Alumnus in 1982 and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation Forest Conservationist of the Year in 1985; and
Whereas, he became a certified forester through the Society of American Foresters in 1999 and received further professional recognition when he was named a fellow in the prestigious Society of American Foresters in the same year; and
Whereas, he served Lexington County as the county's first landscape administrator from 2000 to 2010. He was influential in assisting municipalities in Lexington County with urban-forestry issues, the preservation of trophy trees, and in developing a landscaping ordinance for the City of West Columbia, where he served as an ex-officio member of the West Columbia Beatification Foundation; and
Whereas, Rhett Bickley has served the conservation community and this State through his tireless volunteer efforts. He has served as a Commissioner on the Lexington County Soil and Water Conservation District from 2000 to 2010 and as its chairman in 2010, as Treasurer of the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts from 2003 to 2008, and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Columbia Landscape Association from 2009 to 2010 and as its vice chairman in 2010; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful to Rhett Bickley for his pioneering work, exemplary service, and outstanding contributions to forestry conservation and the environment. He has instilled an appreciation across this State for the value of trees in urban settings, and through his dauntless work he has added beauty and improved the quality of life for the citizens and future generations of Lexington County and South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the contributions of Rhett Bickley in the field of urban forestry, and commend him for his long standing dedication and outstanding service to the County of Lexington and to the State of South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Rhett Bickley.
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