TO CONGRATULATE JEAN GURLEY NORRIS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's most important legacy, its children; and

Whereas, Beaufort's Jean Gurley Norris, retiring after thirty-seven fruitful years as a classroom teacher, stands among their number as an outstanding public benefactor, one much admired in her role as educator and beloved mentor to her students; and

Whereas, in 1975, this Laurens native graduated from Thornwell Day School in Clinton, becoming the first person in her family to receive a high school diploma. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree at the University of South Carolina, followed by a master's degree in elementary education; and

Whereas, after marrying her husband, Richard, in 1981, Jean moved to Walterboro and began full-time teaching. There, she taught for the Colleton County School District, later moving to Laurens Junior High and then Charleston's Memminger Elementary; and

Whereas, in August 1988, Jean Norris inaugurated her long career at Mossy Oaks Elementary in the Beaufort County School District, from which she will retire this year after nearly four decades of teaching; and

Whereas, at Mossy Oaks, she started as a fourth-grade teacher but then took up her duties with the kindergarten, where she will finish her career. Her former students and their parents remember Jean Norris with fondness and respect. Many students recall her patience and joy in the classroom, as well as the way she shared her love of reading. Parents tell how comforting it was to have her as their child's first teacher in grade school, while colleagues express their appreciation of her support and positivity in teaching the children. One child's comments will serve to show how her present-day students feel about their teacher: "I like her learning with me and her reading with me, and I love her drawing, and I love her books, and I love the whole classroom, even my friends"; and

Whereas, on the home front, Jean and Richard Norris raised a fine family of two children, daughters Jordan and Meredith, both of whom share their mother's love for teaching and have earned degrees in education. A first grandchild has already brought Jean and Richard great joy, and another highly anticipated addition to the family is on the way; and

Whereas, during Jean's well-earned retirement, the House trusts this devoted wife, mother, and grandmother will find herself more frequently out on the beautiful Beaufort River and in the company of her family, both near and far; and

Whereas, having set the bar of achievement high in her profession, Jean Norris will be remembered with affection and gratitude by colleagues, students, parents, and legislative friends for years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Jean Gurley Norris of Beaufort County upon the occasion of her retirement, commend her for her thirty-seven years of dedicated service as an educator, and wish her much happiness and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jean Norris.