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TO CONGRATULATE THE HONORABLE JOSEPH T. MCELVEEN, JR. UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS MAYOR, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SUMTER AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Mayor Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement as mayor; and
Whereas, a native of Sumter, Mayor McElveen is an alumnus of The Citadel and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force; and
Whereas, having dedicated his life to public service, Mayor McElveen served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and as a member of Sumter City Council. He has spent the majority of his career as an attorney in private practice with the Bryan Law Firm; and
Whereas, Sumter's longest-serving mayor, Mayor McElveen was elected to office in 2000. His accomplishments as mayor include the expansion of Shaw Air Force Base, implementation of sustainability certifications, construction of Harvest Opportunity and Promoting Empowerment Centers, rebirth of Sumter's Historic Downtown and the Sumter Opera House, expansion of sports and recreational opportunities, improvements to city parks and blighted properties, upgrades to public safety systems, and growth in educational options and youth initiatives; and
Whereas, Mayor McElveen has served on the Sumter Legislative Delegation, United States Conference of Mayors, Veterans Affairs Task Force, Municipal Association of South Carolina, Sumter County Drug Abuse Council, City of Sumter Zoning Board of Adjustments, City/County Planning Commission, Sumter Jaycees, Sumter Optimist Club, and Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, among others. Throughout his career, he has received many prestigious accolades from organizations, including the South Carolina Jaycees, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, Optimist International, South Carolina Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Common Cause/South Carolina, South Carolina Vocational Directors' Association, South Carolina Department of Education, Sierra Club, Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce, and South Carolina Bar Association; and
Whereas, Mayor McElveen has been married for forty-four years to his wife, the former Kathryn Watson. Together, they have two children, Thomas McElveen (Bronwyn) and Kate Price (Nick), and two grandchildren, Adelaide and Joe; and
Whereas, the McElveens are members of First Presbyterian Church in Sumter, where Mayor McElveen has served as deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher; and
Whereas, the Senate is grateful for the passion, commitment, and dedication that this son of South Carolina has shown in serving the State and the people of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Honorable Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement as mayor, commend him for his many years of distinguished public service to the City of Sumter and the State of South Carolina, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years to come.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Joseph T. McElveen, Jr.
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