A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE judge gerald t. whitley, jr. UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS many YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Judge Gerald T. Whitley, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to parents Gerald T. Whitley, Sr. and Nell H. Whitley. He is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina, where he graduated in 1985 with his bachelor's degree. He was a National Judicial College Legal Institute Scholarship Recipient in 1990 and went on to obtain his master's degree from Webster University in 2003; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley began his career in law enforcement in 1973 as a patrol officer with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department. The then served with the Horry County Police as an officer and Chief of Police; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley was appointed by Governor Richard "Dick" Riley on November 1, 1985 as Horry County Magistrate, District 7; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley was appointed to the South Carolina Supreme Court Bench Bar Committee by Chief Justice David W. Harwell in 1990. He served as Associate Chief Magistrate from 1990-1994 and served as Chief Magistrate from 2000 to 2012; and

Whereas, a civic leader, Judge Whitley has served with many community organizations, including serving as the president of the South Carolina Summary Court Association from 1991 to 1992. He also served as a member of the Board of Magistrate and Municipal Judge Certification from 1992 to 2012 and as its chair from 2000 until 2010. He has been an SCCA Instructor for the South Carolina Landlord Tenant Act since 1988; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley was a member of the South Carolina Judicial Council as an appointee of Chief Justice Jean H. Toal; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley taught a course in the criminal justice curriculum as an adjunct professor at Horry Georgetown Technical College from 1991-2000. He also served as a guest lecturer with the South Carolina Bar Association; and

Whereas, Judge Whitley is married to Rachel Whitley, and together, they have one child, Carie W. Clontz, and two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Nobles and Jon Riley Nobles; and

Whereas, in his free time, Judge Whitley enjoys golfing; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Judge Whitley has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Judge Gerald T. Whitley, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Judge Gerald T. Whitley, Jr.

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