Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT MARTHA CHILDRESS OF GREENVILLE FOR HER COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND GRACE IN OVERCOMING A LIFE-THREATENING INJURY AND TO HONOR HER AS SHE DELIVERS THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE GREENVILLE COLLABORATIVE ACTION NETWORK'S CELEBRATION COMMEMORATING THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that USC student Martha Childress of Greenville will serve as keynote speaker at the Greenville Collaborative Action Network's celebration commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to be held Friday, June 5, 2015. The event also will feature a visit from the ADA Legacy Tour bus, a professional photographer who will take pictures of attendees, and a large community-resource fair showcasing local disability service providers; and
Whereas, Martha Childress's story is a compelling and frightening yet inspiring one. On Sunday, October 13, 2013, Martha and a friend, having attended a concert and enjoyed a postconcert bite in Columbia's Five Points, were waiting for a cab to take them home. Nearby, two men were arguing when one of them pulled out a stolen handgun and fired two shots. One of those shots hit Martha, paralyzing her from the hips down; and
Whereas, supported by prayer and the practical assistance of family and friends, Martha spent two months at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta undergoing physical therapy and is now back at USC pursuing a degree in marketing; and
Whereas, local and national celebrities have applauded her bravery and tenacity, including country music star Hunter Hayes who called her after she suffered the injury, and USC's baseball coach Chad Holbrook who invited her to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a 2014 game; and
Whereas, Martha, known as a fighter, has refused to let her injury define her life. She has worked hard at recovery, faced all obstacles with courage, and taken on challenges like learning wheelchair tennis and ice hockey. Now she hopes to try skydiving with her brother; and
Whereas, in addition, this USC sophomore has sought to serve others by advocating for those with disabilities and participating in supportive events like the April 2015 Wheelchair Tennis Day games in Columbia, which she helped establish, and the 2015 USC Dance Marathon, the proceeds of which benefitted the patients of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is grateful for Martha's example of a positive spirit and indomitable spunk, and the members, with much admiration, wish her much success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors. 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 University of South Carolina student Martha Childress of Greenville for her courage, determination, and grace in overcoming a life-threatening injury and honor her as she delivers the keynote address at the Greenville Collaborative Action Network's celebration commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Martha Childress.
This web page was last updated on May 26, 2015 at 4:55 PM