A house RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE HENRY EDWARD BROWN JR. OF HANAHAN FOR HIS SIXTEEN YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 99 IN BERKELEY COUNTY, AS WELL AS HIS TEN YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S FIRST DISTRICT AS A MEMBER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, for sixteen years in the South Carolina House of Representatives and ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Honorable Henry Edward Brown Jr. of Hanahan served with integrity, representing first the citizens of Berkeley County's District 99 in the South Carolina House (1985-2000) and then the citizens of South Carolina's First District in the U.S. House (2001-2011); and

Whereas, a native of Bishopville, Henry Edward Brown Jr. was born on December 20, 1935. After graduating in 1953 from Berkeley High School in Moncks Corner, he attended The Citadel and Baptist College. He later entered the IBM Management and Technical School and then worked for the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain, becoming a vice president. He also served ten years as a member of the United States National Guard; and

Whereas, in 1981, Henry Brown was elected to Hanahan City Council and in 1985 was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. He became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1994 and helped deliver the largest tax cut in state history. He also served as chairman of the Joint Tax Study Committee and was one of the vocal leaders of a massive 1998 tax proposal; and

Whereas, when 1st District Congressman Mark Sanford decided to honor a pledge to serve no more than six years in the House, Henry Brown ran for the seat and easily won the general election. He took up his duties in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001, and, after nearly a decade of service, on January 4, 2010, he announced that he would retire from the House and not seek re-election. During his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, his committee assignments included the Committee on Natural Resources; Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (ranking member); Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands; Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Subcommittee on Highways and Transit; Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment; Budget Committee; Committee on Veterans' Affairs; and Subcommittee on Health (chairman); and

Whereas, in recognition of a lifetime of service, in 2005 Henry Brown was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Public Service by Coastal Carolina University; and

Whereas, grateful for Henry Brown's legacy of dedication and excellence, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives take great pleasure in saluting him for his distinguished service to our great State and nation and in extending heartiest wishes for all the best life has to offer in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend the Honorable Henry Edward Brown Jr. of Hanahan for his sixteen years of committed service to the citizens of House District 99 in Berkeley County, as well as his ten years of faithful service to the citizens of South Carolina's First District as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and wish him continued success and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Henry Edward Brown Jr.

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