A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Reverend Eugene Collins, Sr., Senior Pastor at Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, as he RETIREs AFTER twenty-six YEARS OF devoted SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Reverend Eugene Collins, Sr., will begin a well-deserved retirement after twenty-six years as a faithful pastor, the last thirteen of which have been as the highly regarded pastor of Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church; and

Whereas, born in Camden, Eugene Collins is the youngest of nine children born to the late Thomas and Helen Collins, and he received his early educational training at Kirkwood Elementary, Jackson Junior High, and Jackson High schools in Camden; and

Whereas, he earned an associate degree in police administration from Midlands Technical College in 1976, a bachelor's degree in political science from Charleston Southern University in 1978, an associate degree in security administration from the Community College of the Air Force at Charleston Air Force Base in 1992, and a Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary in 2001; and

Whereas, in the proud tradition of the sons of South Carolina, he served in the United States Air Force Active and Reserve forces as a military policeman, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant; and

Whereas, for more than thirty-five years, Reverend Collins served as a law enforcement officer of the State of South Carolina in various agencies, including the South Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED); and

Whereas, together he and his beloved wife, Reverend Elizan Washington Collins of Edisto Island, served as pastors of Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church in Round O from 1997 to 2002, Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Harleyville from 2002 to 2007, and St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Plantersville from 2007 to 2010; and

Whereas, Reverend Collins is the senior pastor at Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston where he and his wife have been serving since November 12, 2010, from which he is retiring; and

Whereas, he and his wife, a retired registered nurse and assistant staff chaplain at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston and Summerville, reared three fine children: Dr. Jeannie Collins Lawrence, a resident staff psychiatrist in Warrenton, Virginia; Kimberly Edith Collins, a third-grade teacher at the Providence Day School, a private school in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Eugene Collins, Jr., a maintenance tech for two large apartment complexes in Summerville. Their son has blessed them with the affection of three loving grandchildren; and

Whereas, in his retirement, he plans to spend many happy hours continuing to love the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and mind; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Eugene Collins as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him many delightful years in his well-earned retirement.  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 Reverend Eugene Collins, Sr., the senior pastor at Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, as he retires after twenty-six years of devoted service and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Eugene Collins, Sr.

----XX----