Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE THE HONORABLE JOHN W. MATTHEWS, JR., FOR HIS THIRTY-SIX YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN THE YEARS TO COME.
Whereas, the Honorable John W. Matthews, Jr., for thirty-six years has represented the citizens of Senate District 39 in Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties, serving them loyally in the Senate of this great State; and
Whereas, this businessman and retired elementary school principal graduated from South Carolina State College and attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and Lincoln Electric Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. He holds honorary doctorates from the College of Charleston and South Carolina State University; and
Whereas, not one to neglect his civic duty, Senator Matthews, a native of Bowman, has served his community and State in various capacities, among them as former chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and chairman of the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation. In addition, he is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board, the Governor's Middle Grades Task Force, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. As a man of faith, he finds his spiritual home at Pineville United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, during his legislative service, he has lent his expertise to many committees, serving as a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Banking and Insurance Committee, Education Committee, Ethics Committee, and Finance Committee. Prior to his service in the Senate, he served ten years as a member of the House of Representatives; and
Whereas, in recognition of his spirit of excellence and dedicated service to the people of South Carolina, John Matthews has been granted numerous honors, among them the South Carolina State University Distinguished Alumni Award and induction into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame. He also has been named Orangeburg County Democrat of the Year, United States Small Business Administration Minority Business Advocate of the Year, and South Carolina Primary Health Care Legislator of the Year; and
Whereas, for John Matthews, an important source of strength for his labors is his family. Fifty-nine years ago, he wed the lovely Geraldine Hillard, and the two were blessed with three sons and two daughters; and
Whereas, on the occasion of his departure from the Senate, his legislative colleagues, grateful for John Matthews' labors on behalf of the citizens of Senate District 39 and the entire State of South Carolina, extend their best wishes for much success and fulfillment in the new challenges he looks forward to in 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, congratulate and recognize the Honorable John W. Matthews, Jr., for his thirty-six years of committed service as a member of the South Carolina Senate and wish him all the best in the years to come.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to our distinguished colleague, the Honorable John W. Matthews, Jr.
This web page was last updated on June 24, 2020 at 2:15 PM