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TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE MR. HARRY W. DAVIS, JR., DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM WELL AS HE ENTERS A MUCH-DESERVED RETIREMENT.
Whereas, Mr. Harry W. Davis, Jr. has served as director of the Children's Law Center since 2004. He will retire this year after more than forty years of dedicated service to the people of the State; and
Whereas, the Children's Law Center is the state's premier resource center for South Carolina professionals involved in child maltreatment or juvenile justice court proceedings and child advocates working to improve the safety and well-being of children; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the welfare of the children and youth of South Carolina through his work to include implementation of community-based services for youth and development of the juvenile justice practice in the state's family courts to promote justice for young people; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis began his work for children in 1976 as the director of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Placement and Aftercare, which merged with the Department of Juvenile Justice in 1981. He served in that capacity until 1989, during which time he oversaw the consolidation of the county juvenile community programs and the correctional institutional programs into a unified juvenile justice agency. Mr. Davis was instrumental in establishing South Carolina's Network of Marine Institutes and Wilderness programs and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Riley for his leadership in the service of youth; and
Whereas, prior to his tenure with the department, he served as an infantry lieutenant in the United States Army, and as an assistant state attorney general; and
Whereas, in his private practice of law from 1989 to 2003, Mr. Davis worked primarily in the family court system and represented children in juvenile criminal defense cases, in guardian ad litem appointments, in child protection cases, and in contested child custody and visitation cases; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis served as general counsel for the South Carolina Continuum of Care from 2001 to 2003; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis has served as chair and vice-chair of the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Council and as chair of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis was instrumental in the creation of the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, the only multidisciplinary policymaking body tasked with studying children's needs and issues and coordinating legislative efforts on their behalf; and
Whereas, in each role, Mr. Davis has inspired others and led with his vision, values, compassion, and unfaltering drive to make this a better world for all children. Having undertaken each challenge with confidence, he has driven innovations and achieved results that have improved the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children in South Carolina; and
Whereas, Mr. Davis is a native South Carolinian and received a bachelor's degree in economics and a law degree from the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, as he enters retirement, Mr. Davis is looking forward to gardening, boating, spending much more time with his beloved grandchildren, and enjoying all the pleasures that retirement affords; and
Whereas, grateful for the legacy of tireless advocacy for children Mr. Davis has bestowed on the State of South Carolina, his exceptional service and many contributions, the Senate takes great pleasure in wishing him all the best as he enters his retirement. The members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Mr. Harry Davis upon the occasion of his retirement and extend best wishes as he enters a much-deserved retirement.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Harry W. Davis.
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