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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LATE DR. JONAS THOMAS KENNEDY FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, NOTABLE PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS, AND NOTABLE ADVANCEMENTS IN EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE.
Whereas, in the second decade of the twentieth century, Jonas Kennedy was born in Bennettsville, a rich agricultural region in the Pee Dee; and
Whereas, in preparation for his life's calling, Jonas Thomas Kennedy followed in the footsteps of his parents and two sisters by attending Claflin College. His desire to study agriculture led him to transfer to South Carolina State College, where he graduated in 1938; and
Whereas, after graduation Dr. Kennedy began to manage the family farm where he quickly mastered turkey farming while serving as a teaching principal in McBee. The twelve-hundred-acre farm also produced major crops, such as corn, soybeans, wheat barley, and rye; and
Whereas, recognized internationally as an expert in turkey production, Dr. Kennedy traveled to every continent except Australia to observe farming techniques, and he served as a farming consultant in countries throughout Africa; and
Whereas, in the 1960s, he was honored as the only South Carolina farmer invited by President Lyndon Johnson to attend a national farm policy conference and was featured in Ebony magazine, Turkey World, and Progressive Farmer; and
Whereas, from 1969 to 1983, Dr. Kennedy served as a Claflin College trustee, and his donations to Claflin made possible the construction of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. The college awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1975, and honored him as a member of the college's Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, a devoted member of Level Green United Methodist Church in Bennettsville, Dr. Kennedy admired Claflin's church-related heritage so much that he sponsored the education of two African students at Claflin and maintained, "An education in an environment where moral values are nurtured along with intellectual growth is to be highly prized in today's world"; and
Whereas, committed to the development of education in Africa, Dr. Kennedy helped Zimbabwe to establish its "School of Dreams," Africa University in Zimbabwe, through several generous contributions, which in part funded construction of a dormitory named in honor of his wife, Odette Kennedy; and
Whereas, he expressed dedication to his community through service as president of the Marlboro County NAACP for eleven years and as a member of the county's highway commission and general hospital board; and
Whereas, although he passed away at the age of 97 on March 14, 2014, Dr. Kennedy continues to inspire new generations of South Carolinians in education, agriculture, and service to make the world a better place, and the South Carolina House of Representatives reveres the rich harvest of philanthropy he reaped through hard work. 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 honor the late Dr. Jonas Thomas Kennedy for his distinguished community leadership, notable philanthropic efforts, and notable advancements in education and agriculture.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Jonas Thomas Kennedy.
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