A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE Joseph H. Jefferson Jr. OF berkeley and dorchester COUNTies FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, Representative Joseph H. Jefferson Jr. has faithfully represented the citizens of House District 102 in Berkeley and Dorchester Counties for twenty years; and

 

Whereas, born in Pineville on May 31, 1947, he is the son of Joseph H. and the late Omega T. Jefferson. He graduated from St. Stephen High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Claflin University in 1970; and

 

Whereas, he served as a federal government administrator in various positions for thirty-two years before retiring in 2003. From 1972 to 1980 he was special assistant to United States Congressman Mendel Davis; next was a stint as personnel staffing specialist (1981-1989) and apprentice program administrator (1989-1995) both at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. His final position was Equal Employment Officer for the Department of Defense in Charleston; and

 

Whereas, with an ardent appreciation for public service as a way to give back to his community, Mr. Jefferson served as chairman of the Berkeley County School Board from 1982 to 1993. From 1994 to 1998 he represented the Sixth Congressional District as a member of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission where he was instrumental in fast-tracking work on widening United States Highway 52 between Kingstree and Moncks Corner to four lanes, thereby enhancing economic development between Williamsburg and Berkeley Counties; and

 

Whereas, after completing the South Carolina Justice Academy Magistrate School, he served as Berkeley County magistrate from 1999 to 2004. Not one to rest, Mr. Jefferson was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004. During his tenure he served as second vice chair on the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, and on the Legislative Oversight Committee; and

 

Whereas, other affiliations include chairman of the five Historically Black Colleges Intern Program, The Citadel School of Education Development and Advisory Board, the Diversity Board of the Medical University of South Carolina, the Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, and moderator of Talk Radio program "Sound-Off" on WTUA in St. Stephen; and

 

Whereas, on May 30, 1970, he married his beloved wife, Deloris Livingston, and together they reared three fine children: Trena Mack, Marva Patterson, and Joseph Jefferson III. When away from his duties in the House of Representatives, he resides in Pineville and is a real estate investor. He is a faithful member of Day Dawn Baptist Church, where he is senior deacon and recording secretary, and he serves on the Antioch Senior Deacon's Association for seventeen churches in Berkeley County; and

 

Whereas, in all of his service, he has provided thoughtful and meaningful service to his fellow legislators. The members of the House of Representatives will miss the keen and devoted service that Joe Jefferson, their friend and colleague, has given to this storied body, and hope he will enjoy deep fulfillment in the years to come. 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 Joseph H. Jefferson Jr. of Berkeley and Dorchester Counties for his dedicated service in the House of Representatives on behalf of his constituents and the citizens of South Carolina and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph H. Jefferson Jr.

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