TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R. BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT KAMALA D. HARRIS ON THEIR HISTORY-MAKING VICTORY IN THE 2020 UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND TO WISH THEM WELL AS THEY BEGIN THEIR TERM OF OFFICE.

Whereas, on November 3, 2020, the United States elected as its forty-sixth president and forty-ninth vice president then-Vice President Joseph R. Biden and then-California Senator Kamala D. Harris. Kamala Harris will be the first woman and woman of color to be elected to the office of vice president; and

Whereas, having frequently visited South Carolina over the past forty years, Joe Biden likens the state to a second home. He has many long-lasting relationships with leaders in the Palmetto State and often came to South Carolina to visit his longtime friend, United States Senator Fritz Hollings. Kamala Harris's ties to the state include her sisterhood with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which has eighteen chapters in the State. Together, their campaign focused on building America back better; and

Whereas, the early-on Democratic primary in South Carolina, held February 29, 2020, resulted in a resounding victory for Joe Biden, who captured forty-eight percent of the vote in this, his first state primary win. President-Elect Biden's win in South Carolina, and a crucial endorsement from United States Representative James Clyburn, provided momentum and energy for the campaign; and

Whereas, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will be sworn into office on January 20, 2021, as the forty-sixth president and forty-ninth vice president of the United States. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate President-Elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala D. Harris on their history-making victory in the 2020 United States presidential election and wish them well as they begin their term of office.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris.