TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE PALMETTO FAMILY COUNCIL AND TO CONGRATULATE THE STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON FAMILY VALUES AND RELIGIOUS AND CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Palmetto Family Council will host its Celebrating Family 2015 at the historic Seibels House and Garden on Tuesday, June 2, 2015; and

Whereas, with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson as the keynote speaker, the event will honor those who through their example and efforts are making South Carolina a better place to live and raise a family; and

Whereas, the Palmetto Family Council, the state's only nonprofit, public policy organization committed to strengthening and defending families on a broad range of virtue and values issues, seeks to transform the culture in South Carolina by promoting the values and virtues of marriage, the traditional family model, and sexual purity; and

Whereas, through research, communication, and networking, the Palmetto Family Council persuasively presents biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family; and

Whereas, Palmetto Family Council focuses on seven core areas as they relate to the family: parenting, stewardship, education, marriage, faith, commerce, and culture; and

Whereas, under the leadership of Dr. G. Steven Suits of Spartanburg, Palmetto Family Council received its charter as a nonprofit education organization in 1993, opened an office in Columbia the next year, and began working in association with Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council to defend and strengthen the family in South Carolina; and

Whereas, although Palmetto Family has recently come under attack in local, state, and national media for defending religious freedoms and constitutional liberties, the organization's research and publications offer a clear, credible voice on cultural and policy issues affecting the family while promoting positive change that helps make this State a better place to live and raise a family; and

Whereas, for over two decades, Palmetto Family has championed South Carolina's Partial Birth Abortion Ban, the defeat of video poker, and marriage as between one man and one woman; and

Whereas, Palmetto Family has sought tougher human trafficking laws, tax credits for marriage counseling, to ban sexual predators from Facebook, and to allow public officials to pray in their meetings. The organization has fought to retain the state's "I Believe" license plate, protect unborn victims of crime, prevent expansion of adult business operations, oppose cruelty to animals, and allow homeschoolers access to public school sports; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the tireless efforts and outstanding dedication of the Palmetto Family Council to promote South Carolina values and to protect our religious and constitutional freedoms. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Palmetto Family Council and congratulate the staff and board of directors for their significant impact on family values and religious and constitutional freedom in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Oran P. Smith, President of the Palmetto Family Council.