A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE roger bailey UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS fifty-six YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Roger Bailey upon the occasion of his retirement from the City of Union Southside Fire Department; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey was born to the late Brooks and Helen Bailey. In his fifty-six years of involvement with the Southside Fire Department, his hard work and dedication have led him to hold every job from cleaning the bathroom to being the chief; and

 

Whereas, a veteran of the United States military, Mr. Bailey served from June 12, 1966 to June 12, 1993. His time of service totaled twenty-seven years. He advanced from Private E-1 to Sergeant First Class E-7; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey served as fire chief from 1978 to 1981 and 1992 to 1997. He has been a member of the South Carolina Firefighter's Association since 1977, and he has been a member of the City of Union Fire Department for twenty-seven years; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey has served on the Southside Fire District board twice and has been involved in every major decision, including doubling the size of the building. He has considerable training from the South Carolina Fire Academy and during his time with the Southside Fire District, he has overseen a great deal of change and growth in the department; and

 

Whereas, the major fires he helped fight include the fires at the Union Country Club, the Union Mill, the old Union High School, and, most recently, at the asphalt plant on S.C. 18; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey's involvement with the fire department led to his career in banking. He worked diligently at Arthur State Bank for thirty-seven years; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey has served as a member of the Union County Firefighters Association for fifty-six years, serving as president twice. He has been a member of the Union County Firefighters Association Honor Guard for ten years and the Union County Fire Chief's Association for eleven years; and

 

Whereas, a civic leader, Mr. Bailey has served with many community organizations, including organizing the Union Christmas Parade for seventeen years. He has been a member of the Union County High School Booster Club for thirty-seven years and served as treasurer for thirty-five of those years. In retirement, he plans to continue serving as a member of the Union/Laurens Commission on Higher Education; and

 

Whereas, over the years, Mr. Bailey has received a number of honors and awards, including the John L. Kingsmore Chief's Award, which he won twice. In the last twenty-four years, he has won the attendance award, for going to the most calls and meetings, twenty-three times. He was named Volunteer of the Year by the Union Chamber of Commerce in 2019; and

 

Whereas, a devout Christian, he has been a member of Sardis Methodist Church for sixty years; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bailey is married to Judy Bailey, and together, they have two daughters, Catherine (Jason) Childers and Brooke (Jon) Cudd; and five grandchildren, William, Warren, and Calee Childers, and Anabelle and Brooks Cudd; and

 

Whereas, in his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and working on his farm with his cows; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Roger Bailey has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Roger Bailey upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his fifty-six years of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Roger Bailey.

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