TO HONOR THE T. ED GARRISON FAMILY FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THEIR STATE AND COMMUNITY AND TO WISH THEM WELL AS THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, with great gratitude, the South Carolina House of Representatives acknowledges that the members of the T. Ed Garrison family of Anderson County have contributed valuable public and community service to the citizens of the Palmetto State and are thereby worthy of praise; and

Whereas, service is in the blood of the Garrison family, as illustrated in the life of its esteemed patriarch, T. Ed Garrison. Born in 1922, Ed graduated from Clemson University and served with the U.S. Army Air Force as a World War II bomber pilot; and

Whereas, at war's end, he added a dairy to the family farm, married Juanita Bartlett, began a family of six children (all now Clemson graduates), and initiated a thirty-year career of service in the South Carolina Legislature. Having served as a House member (1959-1966), he then served in the Senate until 1988, making him one of Anderson County's longest-serving legislators; and

Whereas, Senator Garrison's community and civic service encompassed work with Soil and Water Conservation, the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and various historical and educational groups. At Welcome Baptist Church, which his grandfather helped found, he served as a deacon for many years and was teacher of the Men's Sunday School Class. Among his many honors was the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor given by the State of South Carolina. Senator Garrison passed away at the age of ninety-one on June 16, 2013, thus concluding a life fully lived in committed service to God, family, community, and State; and

Whereas, throughout fifty-seven years of marriage, Ed Garrison was ably assisted by his life partner, Juanita Bartlett Garrison. This busy matriarch took time to volunteer as a 4-H leader and gave tours of the farm to school children. A former public school teacher, she has taught Sunday School at Welcome Baptist Church for more than forty years. As a Master Gardener, she regularly speaks to community groups and area garden clubs and serves as a columnist for the Anderson Independent Mail; and

Whereas, trained to serve others from childhood, Ed and Juanita Garrison's offspring have followed in their parents' benevolent footsteps. The Garrisons' firstborn, Gaye G. Sprague, volunteers as a 4-H Club leader and serves on Greenville City Council; and

Whereas, currently chairman of the Anderson County Board of Conservation Commissioners, older son Tom Garrison sits on the Curriculum Advisory Board of Clemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Science. Tom's brother, Bart Garrison, touched many lives, notably as a Little League basketball coach, before his untimely death from a farming accident; and

Whereas, Lee G. Smith, Ed and Juanita's fourthborn, serves on the Tri County Tech Foundation and volunteers in her community. Her sister Elizabeth G. Rasor has worked with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra Downtown Symphony Club and Greenville Junior League. The youngest Garrison sister, Catherine G. Davis, has served with the Junior League of Charleston and Clemson University Alumni Association Women's Alumni Council; and

Whereas, cognizant that South Carolina's success greatly depends upon the dedication of citizens like the Garrison family who use their talents and resources to serve others, the House of Representatives salutes the Garrisons for the blessing they have been to South Carolina and is pleased to know the family will continue to work for the enhancement of life in our beloved State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the T. Ed Garrison family for outstanding service to their State and community and wish them well as they continue to serve the people of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Juanita Bartlett Garrison for the family.