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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE ROBERT W. HAYES, JR., FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE SENATE ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS IN YORK COUNTY AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, for more than twenty-five years, the Honorable Robert W. (Wes) Hayes, with faithful integrity has represented the citizens of York County in the Senate of this great state; and
Whereas, born on December 19, 1952, he is the son of Robert Wesley and Wilbur Kirkland Hayes, and he earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy in West Point in 1975, where he served as president of the Class of 1975 and as a battalion commander; and
Whereas, in the patriotic tradition of a Palmetto son, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army from 1975 to 1980 and in the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1980 to 2005, retiring at the rank of colonel. He was distinguished as a master parachutist and a Ranger and was honored with the Legion of Merit Award; and
Whereas, in 1983, Wes earned a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he served on the Law Review from 1981 to 1983 and as president of the Student Bar Association from 1982 to 1983 and was a member of the Order of the Coif; and
Whereas, he married his beloved wife, Sarah Mellon Shurley, in 1977, and they reared three fine children, Robert Wesley III, James Creighton, and Margaret Mellon. When away from his duties in the Senate, he resides in Rock Hill where he practices law; and
Whereas, he served his profession on the executive council of the South Carolina Young Lawyers Division of State Bar from 1984 to 1987 and on the executive council for the South Carolina National Guard Association from 1990 to 1992 and again from 2001 to 2003; and
Whereas, a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, he served as chairman of the York County Red Cross in 2004, the York District Boy Scouts of America from 1985 to 1991, the Rock Hill United Way Campaign in 1992, and the State Government and United Way Campaign in 2011. He has served as the president of the Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America since 2010; and
Whereas, deeply involved in his community, Wes served on the board of Guardian Fidelity Mortgage Corporation, Westminster Towers, South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; and
Whereas, his numerous honors include the 1990 South Carolina Jaycees Outstanding Young American Award, the 1996 Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association, the 2006 award as the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year, and the 2010 David H. Wilkins Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership by the Riley Institute at Furman; and
Whereas, he has faithfully served the citizens of District 15 in the Senate since 1991, prior to which he served in the House of Representatives for six years. In the Senate, he has served as chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee and Ethics Committee, and as the chairman of the K-12 subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee; and
Whereas, in all of his service, Senator Hayes is widely recognized as the General Assembly's leader on education policy, ethics and insurance reforms. With his well-known demeanor and intellect, colleagues often seek Senator Hayes' reasoned advice and dependable guidance on the toughest issues of the day; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate will miss the keen and deliberate service that Wes Hayes, their friend and colleague, has given to the Senate, and hope that he will enjoy deep fulfillment in the years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable Robert W. Hayes, Jr., for his dedicated service in the Senate on behalf of his constituents in York County and the citizens of South Carolina 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 Robert W. Hayes, Jr.
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