A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Donald W. Beatty, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina should pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty for his significant contributions to the South Carolina Supreme Court; and

Whereas, a native of Spartanburg, Chief Justice Beatty earned a bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University.  After completing active duty military service as a commissioned officer, he earned a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law; and

Whereas, Chief Justice Beatty began his legal career working for the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program to use his training to benefit those who could not afford paid legal representation. He established a private practice in Spartanburg and remained committed to public service when he was elected to the Spartanburg City Council and later to the South Carolina House of Representatives. During five years in the House of Representatives, he served on the Ethics; Judiciary; and Medical, Military, and Municipal Affairs committees and as vice chairman and chairman elect of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus; and

Whereas, in 1995, Chief Justice Beatty was elected to the circuit court where he served as a trial judge until he was elevated to the Court of Appeals in 2003. In 2007, he was elected an associate justice for the South Carolina Supreme Court, and in 2016, he was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to serve that court as chief justice. Although honored to be nominated for a federal judgeship by President Barack Obama, he instead decided to serve as South Carolina's chief justice; and

Whereas, devoted to his profession, he serves as an elected member of the American Law Institute, and on the Conference of Chief Justices Board of Directors, National Advisory Board for the Bryson Judicial Science Education Center, National Courts and Sciences Institute Board of Directors, and many community organizations intent on uplifting his community; and

Whereas, dedicated to his community, he served on the Piedmont Legal Services Board of Directors, Spartanburg Residential Development Corporation, Southside Neighborhoods Association Partnership, Boys and Girls Club, BB&T Advisory Board, BMW Minority Advisory Board/BMW Construction Project, the Commission on Continuing Legal Education, Access to Justice Commission, and Sentencing Reform Commission. Continuing his commitment to his community, he speaks to various schools and to youth groups, encouraging moral values and promoting scholarship and leadership. His service to the community has been recognized with numerous and notable honors; and

Whereas, grateful for his many years of distinguished service to the State of South Carolina, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to the honorable Donald Beatty as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him many years of enjoyment 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 Donald W. Beatty, Chief Justice of South Carolina Supreme Court, upon the occasion of his retirement after years of exemplary 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 Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty.

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