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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HARVEY DIXON ODOM, JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER OVER FORTY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Harvey Dixon Odom, Jr., will begin a well-deserved retirement after over forty years dedicated to serving the citizens of Marlboro County; and
Whereas, being born in Bennettsville, Harvey Dixon Odom, Jr., has always been proud and honored to represent Marlboro County. His public service career afforded him the opportunity to give back to Bennettsville and Marlboro County by protecting the community through the fire service; and
Whereas, Mr. Odom's firefighting career really began when he was around seven or eight years old. His Uncle Marvin was a volunteer firefighter, and he would take young Dixon to the Fireman's Club; and
Whereas, Dixon joined the fire department in 1977 as a volunteer. In 1980, he became a Career Engineer and, in that same year, was promoted to Captain. 1982 saw his promotion to Assistant Chief, and he became a certified Fire Marshall in 1989. This all culminated in his promotion to Chief in 1994; and
Whereas, as Assistant Chief, Dixon was responsible for monthly training and established the Fire Prevention Program in the city schools for preschool through second grade. One of his dearest memories is when a first grader ran up to him on the fire ground after a fire at his house. He tugged on Chief Odom's jacket and said, "I did what you told me to do. Run outside to a meeting place;" and
Whereas, during his twenty years as Chief, Dixon had many achievements, including lowering the city's ISO insurance rating twice; creating the Dive Team and Equipment Truck, which has assisted the local and surrounding county law enforcement; creating the Junior Explorer Program for teenagers between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, allowing them to complete Firefighter I and II; helping organize the Tri-County Haz-Mat Response Teams, Department Haz-Mat Team, and Haz-Mat Equipment Truck; organizing the Pee Dee Fire Marshals Association; serving on the State Peer Review Panel for the first V/Safe Grants from the South Carolina State General Assembly; and serving for ten years on the State South Carolina Fire Academy Advisory Committee. This committee was responsible for establishing the State Firefighter's Standards for firefighter training across the State; and
Whereas, Chief Odom is most proud of being inducted into the South Carolina State Firefighters Association Hall of Fame for his many contributions in State and local fire services; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the years of unparalleled dedication that Harvey Dixon Odom, Jr., has devoted to the people of Marlboro County and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Harvey Dixon Odom, Jr., upon the occasion of his retirement after over forty years of outstanding service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Harvey Dixon Odom, Jr.
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