A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE EDITH S. CHILDS OF GREENWOOD FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT AS SHE CONTINUES TO SERVE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize Edith S. Childs for a lifetime of both public and community service in her native Greenwood County; and

Whereas, on October 11, 1948, in Greenwood, Edith S. Childs was born into a single-parent setting. She was raised by her grandmother, Mary J. Scurry, who taught her everything she knows and lives by today. The young Edith graduated from Brewer High School in 1967 and attended a Greenwood County vocational facility for practical nursing. While working twelve-hour shifts, she earned an associate degree in criminal justice in 1998 at Piedmont Technical College. Mrs. Childs and her husband owned and operated Childs' Detective Service in Greenwood, the only business of this nature in seven of the ten counties of the South Carolina Upstate; and

Whereas, further, from a child Edith's goal had been to become a nurse. In 1976, she became a licensed practical nurse and enjoyed what she was doing: caring for people. After thirty-two years, she retired from Self Regional Healthcare; and

Whereas, for more than fifty years, her passion has been making a difference in the lives of others by babysitting, private-duty nursing, volunteering in the school system and community, and working with the local branch of the NAACP. She has served in various capacities, including as secretary, fundraising chairman, and chaplain; and

Whereas, Mrs. Childs became involved in local politics in the early 1990s. She served as PTA vice chairman, member of the Greenwood District 50 School Board, and president of the Brewer High School Alumni Association. In 1999, she was elected representative for Greenwood County Council District One; and

Whereas, Mrs. Childs met then Senator Barack Obama, who was visiting as speaker for the Black Caucus Dinner, in April 2007. In June 2007, Senator Obama came to Greenwood, where he was introduced to "Fired Up, Ready to Go," which later become his campaign slogan. She and President Obama have kept in contact for some years. Upon his invitation, she attended both of his inaugurations and was the only individual invited from South Carolina to attend his final State of the Union Address. She met with him at the White House several times and once at Benedict College in Columbia; and

Whereas, Edith Childs has been married to the love of her life, Charles Childs, for decades. They have three children and six grandchildren; and

Whereas, this woman of faith is an active member of Jacob Chapel Baptist Church, where she serves as vice chair of the Trustees Ministry and Security Committee and as advisor to the Healthcare Ministry, among other church-related duties. 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 commend the honorable Edith S. Childs of Greenwood for her many years of dedicated public and community service and wish her much success and fulfillment as she continues to serve.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Edith S. Childs.

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