TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR TERESA L. KING, UNITED STATES ARMY, FOR HER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING MILITARY SERVICE, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS AN OUTSTANDING MILITARY WOMAN AT THE SPANN WATSON CHAPTER, TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, INC.'S APPRECIATION BANQUET FOR MILITARY WOMEN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2011.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, so richly enjoyed in this nation; and

Whereas, Command Sergeant Major Teresa L. King, United States Army, stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and

Whereas, prior to being appointed commandant of the United States Army Drill Sergeant School in September 2009, Command Sergeant Major King served in numerous key leadership positions throughout the United States Army. Of the key leadership positions she has held, she has pioneered as the first female commandant for the Drill Sergeant School and was the first female to serve as the first sergeant for the Headquarters Company, XVIII Airborne Corps. Both pioneering distinctions have fostered leadership growth and initiatives across the Army; and

Whereas, Command Sergeant Major King's other career duties have included administrative assistant for both the chief of staff of the Army and director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency, drill sergeant, and command sergeant major for 3/13th Infantry Regiment, United States Army NATO (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), and 369 Adjutant General Battalion; and

Whereas, her military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, National Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Drill Sergeant Badge, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, and Army Service Ribbon. She is also a recipient of the Adjutant General Corps Horatio Gates Medal, as well as the prestigious Medal of Saint Maurice, Patron Saint of the Infantry; and

Whereas, a native of North Carolina and a graduate of the Army Sergeants Major Academy, Command Sergeant Major King holds an associate's degree in general studies from Northern Virginia Community College. She is currently pursuing a master's degree at Liberty University; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives counts it a great privilege to honor Command Sergeant Major Teresa L. King, United States Army, one of our nation's finest, and the members with one voice commend her dedicated, sacrificial labors in the military of our great country. 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 Command Sergeant Major Teresa L. King, United States Army, for her thirty-one years of outstanding military service, and congratulate her on being recognized as an outstanding military woman at the Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.'s Appreciation Banquet for Military Women on November 5, 2011.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Command Sergeant Major Teresa L. King.

Be it further resolved that the Governor be requested to declare November 5, 2011, "Military Women Day" in South Carolina.