A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO WELCOME THE NATIONAL COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, Vincent J. "JIM" TROIOLA, TO SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO INVITE HIM TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION IN THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT 12:30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023.

Whereas, Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola was elected national commander of the nation's largest veteran service organization on September 1, 2022, in Milwaukee during the American Legion's one hundred and third national convention. His theme as national commander is "V.E.T.S.: Veterans, Education, Teamwork, and Sponsor"; and

Whereas, a life member of American Legion Post 1682 in Rockland County, New York, he served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1969 to 1974. He completed a tour aboard the USS Nitro, an auxiliary ammunition ship with the Sixth Fleet. He was honorably discharged as a boatswain's mate, third class. He is also a member of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1682, based on the World War II service of his father; and

Whereas, Jim spent his entire working career in the automotive service industry, where he began as a parts manager at a local Chevrolet dealership and went on to serve in management in many other capacities. At the time of his retirement in 2017, he was director of service and parts at a New York Metro Mercedes-Benz dealership. After a brief time at home, he began an entirely new career as a school bus driver for the Falmouth School District and part-time motor coach operator; and

Whereas, Jim has served in many offices at every level of the American Legion. He was elected department (state) commander of New York for 2010-2011 and chaired several national commissions, including the Legislative Commission and Veterans Employment and Education Commission, as well as the Membership and Post Activity Committee. He served on the National Security Commission and was elected national vice commander for 2016-2017; and

Whereas, he married his wife, Savaria, in 1973. They have two daughters, Laura and Jeanette; a son-in-law, Michael; and three grandchildren, Alexander, Abigail, and Natalia. The Troiola family includes three generations of American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of the American Legion membership. Jim currently lives in Maine to be close to a daughter and his grandchildren, while still being within driving distance of the Department of New York; and

Whereas, speaking before a joint session of the General Assembly is an honor reserved for leaders of national prominence and a privilege well merited by the Honorable Jim Troiola. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, welcome the national commander of the American Legion, Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola, to South Carolina and invite him to address the General Assembly in joint session in the chamber of the South Carolina House of Representatives at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Jim Troiola.

----XX---