TO HONOR THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICAN STATE LEGISLATOR GILDA COBB-HUNTER OF ORANGEBURG.

Whereas, born on November 5, 1952, Gilda Cobb-Hunter was the daughter of Selvin and Nina Cobb of Gifford, Florida. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University in 1973 and went on to receive her master's degree from Florida State University in 1978; and

Whereas, after graduating from Florida State, the young Gilda Cobb-Hunter got her start in social work at the Orangeburg Department of Social Services, where she eventually would join, and become the president of, a rape crisis center (1985), choosing to serve and work full-time without pay, due to a lack of funding; and

Whereas, in January 1992, she successfully mounted a bid for election to the South Carolina House of Representatives (representing District 66 in Orangeburg County), and she since has become the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives. In 2019, Representative Cobb-Hunter was named president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators; and

Whereas, on the home front, Gilda Cobb-Hunter married her loving husband Terry Keith Hunter in August 1975; and

Whereas, Representative Cobb-Hunter's commitment to District 66, as well as to the entire State of South Carolina, sets a standard for all who choose to become public servants of this great State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the life and achievements of prominent African American state legislator Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Gilda Cobb-Hunter.