A house RESOLUTION

to respectfully REQUEST THAT THE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SOFTBALL GAME BE NAMED THE "BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF SOUTH CAROLINA MARY ELIZABETH MULLIKIN ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE SOFTBALL GAME" AS A LASTING TRIBUTE TO MARY ELIZABETH MULLIKIN'S LEGACY OF SERVICE, FRIENDSHIP, AND JOY.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Elizabeth Mullikin at the age of thirty-eight on Sunday, March 30, 2025; and

Whereas, Mary Elizabeth was born on July 3, 1986, to parents Thomas Stowe Mullikin and Virginia Ann Mullikin. Her childhood years were marked by her care for her friends and family and her ambition to excel. Her excellence and work ethic were apparent in her accomplishments, including her number one position on the Camden High School girls tennis team, her status as a black belt in American freestyle karate, and her certification as a SCUBA diving instructor; and

Whereas, following her graduation from the University of South Carolina, Mary Elizabeth served in the White House under former President George W. Bush. She also worked in the South Carolina Senate, where she formed relationships that would endure for the rest of her career; and

Whereas, the daughter of two lawyers, Thomas and Virginia Ann, Mary Elizabeth went on to pursue the family interest in law and obtained her juris doctorate from the Charleston School of Law in 2011. She served with a boutique tax law firm and a large multistate law firm while she was in law school; and

Whereas, Mary Elizabeth gained experience and extensive knowledge on state and federal laws governing healthcare and insurance and the South Carolina legislative process while working for the Mullikin Law Firm, which was founded by her parents. This experience led her to a position at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, where she was an accomplished lawyer and lobbyist; and

Whereas, always defined by her faith, Mary Elizabeth had a passion for serving others. This included a drive to support victims of domestic abuse. She served on the board of directors of Pathways to Healing, a nonprofit organization aimed at ending sexual violence through advocacy, education, and supportive services for domestic abuse victims; and

Whereas, during Mary Elizabeth's time with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, she worked with members and staff in a bipartisan and collaborative fashion. She particularly enjoyed the legislative softball game, an event for legislators, staff, and their families that is hosted every year by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Annual Legislative Softball Game has long served as a celebration of our legislative community, bipartisan fellowship, and the family spirit of the General Assembly-values that Mary Elizabeth embodied every day of her time at the State House; and

Whereas, renaming the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Annual Legislative Softball Game in Mary Elizabeth's honor would be a fitting tribute to this daughter of South Carolina who exemplified the very best of the State and who brought joy to the State House through her laughter, grace, and generous heart. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, respectfully request that the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Annual Legislative Softball Game be renamed the "BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Mary Elizabeth Mullikin Annual Legislative Softball Game" as a lasting tribute to Mary Elizabeth Mullikin's legacy of service, friendship, and joy.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and to the family of Mary Elizabeth Mullikin.

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