A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to request the department of transportation name the portion of united states highway 178 from its intersection with united states highway 15 to its intersection with united states highway 78 in Dorchester County "Mayor Charles William Ackerman highway" and erect appropriate signs or markers along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Whereas, Mr. Charles William Ackerman was born in St. George, South Carolina, on August 19, 1941. He graduated from St. George High School in 1959 and joined the Army National Guard the following year. Through hard work and dedication, he rose through the ranks and received numerous awards. He retired in 1991 with the rank of general; and

 

Whereas, he is married to Deloris Steen Ackerman and together they are the parents of five children who have grown the family ranks to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An active member of Harleyville First Baptist Church, he has served in many capacities, recently being named deacon emeritus. He was instrumental in starting the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ministry, is a member of the Baptist Screven Association's disaster relief team and taught many classes during training sessions. Mission trips have taken him across the United States as well as travels to Russia and India. He is a member of the Gideons and of American Legion Post 128 where he served as post commander for a number of years; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Ackerman served the Town of Harleyville as mayor for two terms, 1994 to 2001 and again from 2005 to 2023, when he retired. His tenure was filled with many "firsts" that include the first nighttime Christmas parade, still held the Thursday night after Thanksgiving, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, he chaired the first American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and he was influential in getting a Dollar General established in the town which had no grocery store. Along with his staff and council, Ackerman applied for and received the needed grants and funds to build a new town hall in 2016, appropriately named the Charles W. Ackerman Municipal Building; and

 

Whereas, a mainstay at Dorchester County Council and school board meetings, he also worked with members of the county legislative delegation to secure any grants or funding that would help Harleyville. His hard work and diligence have been instrumental in keeping the utility bills and taxes of town residents from realizing significant increases. Mr. Ackerman has been seen decorating the town's Christmas tree and on occasion, you might see him cleaning the streets or assisting a town resident with their yard; and

 

Whereas, it is only fitting and proper that Mr. Charles William Ackerman, a man of deep faith with unwavering love for his community be recognized by having a portion of highway in Dorchester County named in his honor. Now, therefore,

 

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

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 178 from its intersection with United States Highway 15 to its intersection with United States Highway 78 in Dorchester County "Mayor Charles William Ackerman Highway" and erect appropriate signs or markers along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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