A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty 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 Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty upon the occasion of his retirement from the South Carolina State Supreme Court; and

Whereas, a native of Spartanburg, Chief Justice Beatty was born to parents Arthur and Ruth Beatty. He is an alumnus of South Carolina State University, where he received his bachelor's degree, and the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he earned his juris doctorate degree in 1979; and

Whereas, a veteran of the United States Army, Chief Justice Beatty served an army commissioned officer after graduating college; and

Whereas, admitted to the practice of law in South Carolina in 1979, Chief Justice Beatty began his legal career by working for the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program, thus fulfilling a personal commitment to use his legal training to benefit those who could not afford paid legal representation. Following his tenure with the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program, he established a private practice in his hometown, Spartanburg. During this time, he maintained a commitment to public service with his election to Spartanburg City Council, later moving to the state level with his election to the South Carolina House of Representatives; and

Whereas, a civic leader, Chief Justice Beatty has served with numerous community organizations including the Piedmont Legal Services Board of Directors, Spartanburg Residential Development Corporation, BB&T Advisory Board, BMW Minority Advisory Board/BMW Construction Project, vice chairman and chair-elect of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. He was elected to Spartanburg City Council in 1988 and served until 1990 when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives where he served until 1995; and

Whereas, over the years, Chief Justice Beatty has received a number of honors and awards, including the Profile in Leadership Award, Honorary Doctor of Laws, Living Legend Award, Superior Achievement Award from the Donald James Sampson Chapter of the National Bar Association, the Vision Award from the South Carolina Business Network, the Spartanburg County Bar Portrait Award, the American Association of Justice Portrait Award, and the Harvey Gantt Triumph Award; and

Whereas, after five years of distinguished service in the South Carolina General Assembly, he was elected to the Circuit Court where he served as a trial judge until he was elevated to the Court of Appeals in 2003. In 2007, Chief Justice Beatty was elected as an Associate Justice for the South Carolina Supreme Court; and

Whereas, Chief Justice Beatty has reached the highest attainable position within the State of South Carolina's Judicial Branch, Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. In May 2016, Justice Beatty was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to become the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. He began serving as Chief Justice of South Carolina on January 1, 2017; and

Whereas, a devout Christian, he is a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church where he serves as a trustee; and

Whereas, Chief Justice Beatty is married to Angela Chestnut Beatty, and together, they have three children, Brandon, Austine, and Morgan; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Chief Justice Beatty 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 Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty 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 Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty.

----XX----