A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF the Honorable Hector Felix Rodriguez, Mayor of the Town of Burnettown in Aiken COUNTY, AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Hector Felix Rodriguez at the age of eighty-one on Monday, March 11, 2024. Born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Felix Rodriguez and Margarita Torres and was reared with twelve siblings: Pilar Rodriguez, Mignan Newfrock, Rosa Rodriguez, Alida Rodriguez, Hernan Rodriguez, Carmen Rodriguez, Cesar Rodriguez, Amilcar Rodriguez, Edgardo Rodriguez, Migdala Rodriguez, the late Loida Rodriguez, and the late Neida Rodriguez; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez moved to the area in 1964, and after serving honorably in the United States Army, he worked for the J.M. Huber Corporation until his retirement in 1998. Following his retirement from Huber, he became employed by the Aiken County School System. A faithful member of Langley First Baptist Church, he was devoted to his community. First elected mayor of Burnettown in 1988, he served until 2001 and was re-elected unanimously in 2021. He served on the Burnettown Town Council from 2019 until 2021; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez proposed and oversaw the Christmas decoration of Burnettown in 1998; founded the annual Horse Creek Midland Valley Sassafras Festival in 1991, which is still being held and is in its twenty-ninth year; and envisioned and initiated the building of the Fun Valley Sassafras Park from 1995 to 1997, which was dedicated in his honor on April 8, 2017; and

Whereas, he served on the committee to refurbish an old depot into the Midland Valley Public Library Branch, the Aiken County Human Relations Council, the Aiken County Unfit Dwellings/Nuisance Committee, the Midland Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Empty Stocking Fund Committee since 2006; and as vice chairman of the Margaret J. Weston Community Health Center Board of Directors in 2007; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez acquired the Willie Whaley Recreation Park from Aiken County for the town of Burnettown in 2000, was instrumental in the incorporation of the Town of Burnettown and its growth by annexing surrounding subdivisions, and was a visionary and overseer of the current construction of the Horse Creek Historical Museum.  He was instrumental in developing the Horse Creek Midland Valley Veteran's Park in 1998. He was influential in the formation of the Armed Forces Vehicle Museum, an addition to the Horse Creek Midland Valley Veterans Park. He was named Midland Valley Citizen of the Year in 2018 in honor of his community service; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez was a member of the Horse Creek Masonic Lodge since 1975, formerly serving as its Master. He was a member of American Legion Post #153 and of the Midland Valley Lions Club since 1988, having served as its president, secretary, and treasurer; and

Whereas, his evident concern for his community was shown in his service as a firefighter with the Langley and Bath Fire Departments for more than forty years and on the board of directors for the Midland Valley Fire Department from 2016 until his death; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Judy Hall Rodriguez, he reared three fine children: Hector "Pito" Rodriguez, Dana Bennett, and Eric Rodriguez. His children blessed him with eight loving grandchildren: Maya Rodriguez, Hector "Eli" Rodriguez, EvieMarie Rodriguez, Owen Brumfield, Danny Bennett, Olivia Brumfield, Delanah Bennett, and Ellie Rodriguez. The South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Hector Rodriguez and for the example of service and kindness he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Hector Felix Rodriguez, Mayor of the Town of Burnettown in Aiken County, and extend deepest sympathy to his loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Hector Felix Rodriguez.

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