TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DWAYNE BUCKNER, MEMBER OF THE WALTERBORO CITY COUNCIL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED 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 South Carolina Senate should pause in their deliberations to express their gratitude to Dwayne Buckner for his significant contributions to City of Walterboro; and

Whereas, a native of Walterboro, Councilman Buckner graduated from Walterboro High School in 1990 and earned a bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University; and

Whereas, he served as an English teacher in Colleton County before completing a juris doctorate at Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and

Whereas, a former assistant public defender for Fort Lauderdale, he served as a White House intern in the nation's capital and now is the principal shareholder of the Buckner Law Firm, P.A., in downtown Walterboro; and

Whereas, currently serving as the executive director of the Lowcountry Community Action Agency, he founded Colleton County's Dispatch newspaper in 1996, formerly serving as its managing editor, and founded and serves as broker-in-charge of Interstate Realty; and

Whereas, since July 2009, Councilman Buckner has served his hometown and its residents with devotion on the Walterboro City Council as a member of the Beautification Committee, the Lowcountry Regional Airport Commission, and the City Appearance Committee; and

Whereas, during his tenure on the City Council, he fought to make government more transparent, advocated for more recreation for the city's youth, helped to beautify Walterboro, promoted economic development, and helped to preserve public safety; and

Whereas, Mr. Buckner helped to organize the Lowcountry International Society, which has hosted such international events in Walterboro as Christmas Sweets Around the World, the Lowcountry International Food and Arts Festival, the International Film Festival Series, and a symposium for international students attending the University of South Carolina's Salkehatchie campus in Walterboro; and

Whereas, a faithful trustee of St. Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church in Walterboro, he serves his community as a member of the Walterboro Rotary International and on the board of directors for the Colleton County Habitat for Humanity; and

Whereas, he and his beloved wife, Melissa Buckner, are rearing three fine children: Hadrian, a junior at Colleton County High School; Adam, a third grader at Northside Elementary School; and Zoe, a first grader at North Walterboro Christian Academy; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the years of dedication that Councilman Dwayne Buckner has devoted to the City of Walterboro and celebrate with him as he is honored at a reception on June 25, 2013. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dwayne Buckner, member of the Walterboro City Council, upon the occasion of his retirement after four years of dedicated 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 Dwayne Buckner.