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TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF EAST CHEVES STREET IN THE CITY OF FLORENCE FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH EAST PALMETTO STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH DARGAN STREET "JERRY M. KEITH BOULEVARD" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.
Whereas, Mr. Jerry M. Keith was born in Georgetown County on June 14, 1938. He graduated from Rosemary High School in Andrews in 1958, then continued his education at Denmark Technical College, graduating in 1961; and
Whereas, Mr. Keith relocated to Florence, S.C., in 1961, gaining employment with James E. Byrd's Radio & TV. In January 1965, he opened Keith's Radio and TV, located at 438 E. Cheves St., becoming a successful business owner for some thirty years; and
Whereas, in 1971, Mr. Keith became the first African American appointed member of the Florence County Council since Reconstruction. He went on to win reelection and served faithfully for more than twenty-three years, which included his election in January 1985 as council chairman; and
Whereas, during his tenure as a member of the Florence County Council, Mr. Keith was successful in securing the first black individual hired at the Florence County Courthouse and increasing the number of black citizens employed by the county, instrumental in creating the I-95 industrial park, and was forefront in the effort to revitalize downtown Florence and in building the Florence Civic Center; and
Whereas, Mr. Keith's many accomplishments include serving as a member of the Florence Jaycees, and on the boards of directors of McLeod Regional Hospital, South Carolina National Bank, Reid Foundation Board of Allen University, and Florence-Darlington Tech Boys and Girls Club. He currently is a board member of the Pee Dee Office of Community Services, and the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Apartments, a Pee Dee Community Action Agency transitional housing for the homeless, of which he was a founding member; and
Whereas, he is married to Mary Keith and they are the proud parents of four children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to recognize the many contributions that this son of South Carolina has made to the citizens of Florence County and this great State by having a street in the City of Florence named in his honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name the portion of East Cheves Street in the City of Florence from its intersection with East Palmetto Street to its intersection with South Dargan Street "Jerry M. Keith Boulevard" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway containing this designation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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