Recalled

April 15, 2025

S. 543

Introduced by Senators Kimbrell and Verdin

S. Printed 4/15/25--S.

Read the first time April 3, 2025

________

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME The interchange of Interstate 26 and Highway 11 at Exit 5 IN Spartanburg COUNTY "John W. Parris Interchange" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.

Whereas, a native of Campobello, John W. Parris was born on May 30, 1936. He passed away on July 9, 2024, at the age of eighty-eight. He graduated from Clemson University in 1958; and

Whereas, Mr. Parris taught agriculture education at Chester High School and in Anderson County schools. He was a nationally recognized agriculturalist and mentored hundreds of students in Future Farmers of America, the Young Farmers Organization, and other organizations; and

Whereas, Mr. Parris led the South Carolina Land Resources Commission for twenty-two years. He introduced drip irrigation and conservation tillage to South Carolina's farmers. In the 1990s, he helped pass the Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act, which was the most innovative legislation of its kind in the country and served as the model for other states. After retiring from the commission, he served as director of Clemson's Sandhills Research and Education Center. He later led South Carolina's agricultural news service at Clemson Extension; and

Whereas, from mining to landscape architecture to urban flood control, John Parris was the man who best knew South Carolina's land and the man who, in many ways, was most directly responsible for improving it. He served as the foremost dean and patron of South Carolina's agriculture and conservation communities. His legacy lives in the fertile fields across the Palmetto State and in the generation of young South Carolinians he inspired to become leaders in agriculture, conservation, and public policy; and

Whereas, on July 27, 2024, Governor Henry McMaster honored Mr. Parris' legacy by ordering flags across the State to be lowered to half staff "in recognition of his extraordinary legacy and lifetime of service to the State of South Carolina, including as a conservationist, teacher of farmers young and old, [and] leader of agricultural innovation"; and

Whereas, it would be only fitting and proper to pay tribute to this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of road in the State in his honor. 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, request that the Department of Transportation name the interchange of Interstate 26 and Highway 11 at Exit 5 in Spartanburg County "John W. Parris Interchange" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing the designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and presented to the family of Mr. John W. Parris.

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