TO CONGRATULATE ROGER CLECKLEY, AUDITOR FOR ORANGEBURG COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Roger Cleckley will begin a well-deserved retirement after thirty-two years as Orangeburg County's auditor, making him the longest-serving elected official in Orangeburg County; and

Whereas, born and reared in Cope and Cordova, South Carolina, Roger Cleckley is the third of four children born to the late Solomon and Celia Mae Huggins Cleckley; and

Whereas, after graduation from G. W. Carver High School in Cope, he completed his education at Voorhees College in Denmark, and he earned a Certificate of leadership training from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, in the proud tradition of the sons of South Carolina, Mr. Cleckley served with distinction in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam as a combat infantryman, and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant in 1971; and

Whereas, in 1987, he was elected to serve as the auditor of Orangeburg County, the first African American elected to serve in that position since Reconstruction; and

Whereas, an active and faithful member of Good Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cope, Mr. Cleckley has served as a member of the church school, as a class leader, on the steward board, and on the local lay organization. He has served as vice president and president of the lay organization at all levels of the Orangeburg District and the Central South Carolina Annual Conference, and he currently serves as the president of the Seventh Episcopal District Lay Organization; and

Whereas, a subscribing life member of the NAACP, he serves his community as chairman of the Forfeited Land Commission, secretary of the Orangeburg County Fiscal Education Commission, and chair of the Orangeburg County Democratic Nominating Committee; and

Whereas, devoted to his profession, he is a member of numerous professional organizations and has served on the board of directors for the South Carolina Association of Auditors, Treasurers, and Tax Collectors and for the South Carolina Association of Countywide Elected Officials; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, the former Bessie Idella Berry of Rowesville, he has reared three fine sons, and they have blessed him with the affection of five adoring grandchildren; and

Whereas, grateful for his many years of distinguished service to the citizens of Orangeburg County, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives take great pleasure in extending best wishes to Roger Cleckley as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the leisurely pace of 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, congratulate Roger Cleckley, Auditor for Orangeburg County, upon the occasion of his retirement after more than three decades of outstanding 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 Roger Cleckley.