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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE PHILLIP D. "PHIL" OWENS OF PICKENS COUNTY FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE HOUSE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives learned with genuine regret that the Honorable Phillip D. "Phil" Owens will not return to the House of Representatives after the conclusion of his current term; and
Whereas, born in Pickens in 1951, he is the son of Fred William and Lillian Parsons Owens and earned a bachelor of arts from the University of South Carolina in 1973; and
Whereas, he and his beloved wife, the former Lynn Catherine Southerland, reared two fine children, Lori Jill and Kathryn Diana, and when away from his duties in the House of Representatives, he is a highly respected businessman and civic leader in the city of Easley, Pickens County, and in the upstate of South Carolina; and
Whereas, deeply involved in his community, he served on the advisory board of First Union/Wachovia Bank Upstate from 1998 to 2002 and of Carolina First Bank from 2002 to 2007, and for more than a decade, he served on the board of the Pickens County YMCA, part of that time as its chief visionary officer (CVO); and
Whereas, a faithful member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, he served on the church finance committee in 2011 and on the Pickens County Salvation Army board from 1995 to 1998; and
Whereas, he also served on the board of the Palmetto Baptist Medical Center Foundation from 1999 to 2002 and again from 2008 to 2009 and as the national co-chairman of the Leadership for Healthy Communities from 2010 to 2011; and
Whereas, a member of Rotary International, Phil Owens, has served on the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce since 1993 and as its president in 1994 and again from 2001 to 2004; and
Whereas, Phil Owens has faithfully served the citizens of District 5 in Pickens County in the House of Representatives since 2002, using his knowledge and experience gained in the private sector to great advantage in the performances of his public duties; and
Whereas, in all of his service, he has led by example through his quiet but friendly and effective demeanor, and has provided clear leadership and practical business acumen borne of his personal experience to address the challenges of South Carolina; and
Whereas, as evidence of the respect in which he is held by his colleagues, he was elected Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, a position in which he currently serves. During his term as Chairman, he has shepherded through many important legislative initiatives to the great advantage of students in grades kindergarten through twelve as well as in higher education; and
Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives will miss the keen and exemplary service that Phil Owens, their friend and colleague, has given during his service in the General Assembly and hope that he will enjoy deep fulfillment in the years to come. 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 commend the Honorable Phillip D. "Phil" Owens of Pickens County for his dedicated service in the House of Representatives on behalf of his constituents and the citizens of South Carolina upon his retirement from the House, and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Phillip D. "Phil" Owens.
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