A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE MARLON E. KIMPSON FOR HIS YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE AND TO WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Whereas, since 2013, the Honorable Marlon E. Kimpson has represented the citizens of District 42 in Charleston and Dorchester counties, serving them loyally in the Senate of this great State; and

Whereas, a graduate of Morehouse College and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Marlon Kimpson serves his community as an attorney and has dedicated much of his life to advocating for those who have been wronged by corporations and entities that put profits over people. He is the son of Milton and Wilhelmina Kimpson and father of Marleigh and Marlon D. Kimpson; and

Whereas, not one to neglect his civic duty, Marlon Kimpson, a resident of Charleston, has served his community in numerous capacities, including as a member of the University of South Carolina Board of Visitors, as a commissioner and later Chairman of the State Election Commission, as a member of the South Carolina Association of Justice, a member of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church, and as a Life Member of the NAACP; and

Whereas, his distinguished legal career began with his selection to be the Law Clerk to the Honorable Matthew J. Perry and progressed to his being named partner in the Motley Rice Law Firm where he champions those who have been defrauded of their hard-earned savings as well as families devastated by the tragic loss of loved ones. He served as a lead in the critical opioid litigation that has resulted in resources for our State to help heal those entrapped in addiction; and

Whereas, during his legislative service, he has lent his expertise to the Corrections and Penology Committee, Judiciary Committee, Medical Affairs Committee, Rules Committee, and Transportation Committee; and

Whereas, his many legislative accomplishments include the first in the nation requirement of body-worn cameras for law enforcement and the reform of sales tax collection for online sales in the State; and

Whereas, never one to shy away from taking the podium in defense of those whose voice he believed needed to be heard, he has been a consistent and staunch supporter of women's rights, healthcare reform, and South Carolina workers; and

Whereas, in recognition of his spirit of excellence and dedicated service to the people of South Carolina, Marlon Kimpson has been granted various honors, among them the Academic Freedom Award by the South Carolina Library Association, the Coastal Stewardship Award, Senator of the Year by the Charleston Hospitality Association, the American Association of Justice Minority Caucus Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Soaring Eagle Award, and the University of South Carolina School of Law Compleat Lawyer Award; and

Whereas, his insight and expertise on multinational business interests and policies has been recognized at the highest levels, as reflected by his appointment by President Joseph R. Biden to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, where he will counsel the U.S. Trade Representative; and

Whereas, Marlon Kimpson's sense of humor and style and his advocacy in the Senate will be greatly missed, especially on matters of equality, fairness, and justice for every South Carolinian; and

Whereas, last but not least, the members hope that when he departs from the Senate, Marlon Kimpson will, from time to time, continue to bring the body his signature greetings from the White House; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate, on the occasion of his departure from the Senate, express their gratitude for Marlon Kimpson's labors on behalf of the citizens of District 42 and the entire State of South Carolina, and extend their best wishes for much success and fulfillment in the new challenges he looks forward to in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Honorable Marlon E. Kimpson for his nine years of committed service as a member of the South Carolina Senate and wish him all the best in the years to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to our distinguished colleague, the Honorable Marlon E. Kimpson.

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