TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MARLVIS "BUTCH" KENNEDY, FOUNDER OF REAL MAD, REAL MEN AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN STEMMING THE TIDE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON THE RELEASE OF HIS BOOK ENTITLED A MAN LIKE ME: MY JOURNEY TO MANHOOD, AND THE MISTAKES I MADE ALONG THE WAY.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is deeply grateful for citizens like Mr. Marlvis "Butch" Kennedy who seek to enrich and protect the lives of those in our communities; and
Whereas, currently employed as a systems engineer at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Mr. Kennedy provides design and engineering support for the United States Marine Corps; and
Whereas, he is the founder of Palmetto Hope Network, a nonprofit organization that works to provide hope to communities and to victims of violent crimes through advocacy and education in collaboration with law enforcement in order to make communities safer for all their citizens; and
Whereas, Palmetto Hope Network is a diversified organization that brings cultures together from all walks of life in a unified effort to repair relationships in our communities and within law enforcement. As a volunteer in the Tri-County area for over twelve years, Mr. Kennedy has advocated for those who are unable to advocate for themselves; and
Whereas, believing that if people do not stand for something, they will fall for anything, he founded REALMAD, Real Men Against Domestic Violence/Abuse, the primary focus of which is to mentor and educate men and children about their role in ending violence against women. The organization's main goal is to encourage more men to speak out about the crime of domestic violence in South Carolina, and its motto states, "REAL Men don't hit women"; and
Whereas, Palmetto Hope Network and REALMAD have joined together to introduce the White Ribbon Campaign, an effort to recruit men who are willing to stand against violence perpetrated against women by taking the pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women; and
Whereas, Mr. Kennedy has authored a new book entitled A Man Like Me: My journey to manhood, and the mistakes I made along the way, a chronicle of his life from adolescence to adulthood; and
Whereas, dedicated to his community, he serves as a member at large of the Charleston Community Service Group (CCSG), an organization that supports needy families in the tri-county area; as an executive board member of the Tri-County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC); on the statewide domestic violence task force; and as a member of Arm in Arm South Carolina; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the efforts of Butch Kennedy to work with law enforcement in order to make communities in the Palmetto State safer and to protect our citizens from domestic violence. 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 honor Marlvis "Butch" Kennedy, founder of REAL MAD, Real Men Against Domestic Violence, for his significant contributions in stemming the tide of domestic violence and congratulate him upon the release of his book entitled A Man Like Me: My journey to manhood, and the mistakes I made along the way.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Marlvis "Butch" Kennedy.