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TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND JULIUS H. "JAY" BAGGETT OF MCCORMICK FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that on December 31, 2014, the Honorable Julius H. "Jay" Baggett began a well-deserved retirement after a distinguished legal career spanning nearly sixty-five years of faithful and outstanding service to the citizens of the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, born in Florence, Julius H. "Jay" Baggett graduated from old Florence High School and attended Furman University. During his time at Furman, the young Jay Baggett entered the United States Navy as an apprentice seaman. After honorable discharge from the Navy as signalman second class, he returned to complete his classes at Furman; and
Whereas, in 1949, Jay Baggett graduated from law school at the University of South Carolina, where he distinguished himself as a leader, being admitted to the Order of the Wig and Robe and ODK (a national leadership fraternity), as well as serving as president of the Law School Federation. Following completion of law school, the fledgling attorney inaugurated his legal career with an eight-year assignment with the federal government. In 1958, he entered private practice in McCormick. Elected to the Circuit Court in July 1976, Judge Baggett continuously served in that post until 1994; and
Whereas, Jay Baggett firmly believes in active involvement in the community, and he has long demonstrated that commitment through membership in various civic organizations, including American Legion Post 19, the Masons, Rotary Club, and Lion's Club. Further, he has given dedicated public service to his State as a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (1967-1968, 1971-1974), where he served as House majority leader and as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Ways and Means Committee, Senate Reapportionment Committee, and House Reapportionment Committee; and
Whereas, this man of faith has served his church as a lay leader, choir member, conference delegate, chair of the administrative board, district trustee (Greenwood District, United Methodist Church), and Sunday School teacher and finds renewed strength for his many duties through service to his God; and
Whereas, he joined the Kennedy Law Firm when it initially opened in 1995 and served "of counsel" with the firm until December 2014. His business partner, Ralph S. Kennedy, Jr., a current member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, was once Jay Baggett's law clerk, and the younger man welcomed the solid introduction to the practice of law granted him through having Jay Baggett as his mentor and friend. Ralph and Jay practiced law together for almost twenty years; and
Whereas, for Jay Baggett, an important source of strong support is his family. As a young man, he married Evelyn Heacox of Florence, and together they parented five children, Jay, Jr., who went to be with the Lord at a young age, Stephen, David, Judy, and Amy, who have given their parents the joy of twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. The couple had been married for sixty-seven years before Evelyn passed away in 2011; and
Whereas, in the spring of 2014, Jay Baggett married Dorothy S. Bandy of McCormick, and the newlyweds now make their home at Lake Thurmond in McCormick. The House is pleased to take this opportunity to congratulate the groom on winning such a beautiful bride and to extend heartiest good wishes for a happy life together to the couple; and
Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives, acting on the sound principle that it's never too late to celebrate good news, also wish to congratulate Jay Baggett on reaching the venerable age of ninety on February 14, 2014. Determined not to be tardy in their celebratory greetings this year, the members extend early felicitations on his ninety-first birthday, which, being on Valentine's Day, is imminent and entirely appropriate as a birth date for a new groom; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the legacy of leadership Jay Baggett has bestowed on this great State and appreciates the long and enduring guidance he has given to the citizens of South Carolina. The members take great pleasure in wishing him well as he enters retirement and trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. 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 Julius H. "Jay" Baggett of McCormick for his many years of service to the people of South Carolina, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement from the practice of law, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Julius H. "Jay" Baggett.
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