TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR CATHY L. RUFF, DIRECTOR OF THE GREENBELT PROGRAM FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT, TO THANK HER FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO CHARLESTON COUNTY OF MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, recently, after more than twenty-five years of committed service, the past thirteen as director of the Greenbelt Program for Charleston County, Cathy L. Ruff began a well-deserved retirement; and

Whereas, Cathy Ruff was born in Texas, where her father was stationed while serving in the United States Air Force. The family later lived in California and Michigan on military assignments before moving to the Southeast; and

Whereas, in the fourth grade, Cathy moved with her family to Cherokee County in the Upstate of South Carolina when her father retired. She spent the remaining years of her childhood in the Upstate, but fell in love with the Lowcountry landscape upon moving there to pursue a college education; and

Whereas, in preparation for her career, Cathy Ruff earned her bachelor's degree in business administration, with a minor in computer sciences, from Charleston Southern University, followed by a master's degree in religious education administration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After obtaining her graduate degree, she moved back to Charleston and has been there ever since; and

Whereas, the first nine years of her career with Charleston County saw Cathy working with the Grants Administration Department (now Community Services), where she served as a contracts manager for several federal grants programs. Cathy worked with the Greenbelt Program, which was then a part of the Charleston County Planning Department, from its inception in 2005. She was named director when the Greenbelt Program was organized into its own department in 2008; and

Whereas, her work with the Greenbelt Plan and Greenbelt Program brought recognition to both, as well as to Cathy herself. The Charleston County Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan was named the South Carolina American Planning Association's Outstanding Planning Project for Large Jurisdictions in 2006, and in 2009 the Greenbelt Program received the United States Forest Service's Partnership Award. Cathy was named the 2007 Charleston County Employee of the Year for her work with the Greenbelt Program; and

Whereas, in her retirement Cathy looks forward to visiting with her two sisters and extended family, many of whom live in the upstate, and finding time to explore state parks and nature preserves, to go birdwatching, and simply to relax with her beloved cats; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives, appreciative of the legacy of committed excellence Cathy Ruff has bestowed on this great State, takes great pleasure in wishing her the best as she steps down from her duties at the Greenbelt Program. The members trust she will find much enjoyment in the more relaxed pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Cathy L. Ruff, director of the Greenbelt Program for Charleston County, upon the occasion of her retirement, thank her for her dedicated service to Charleston County of more than twenty-five years, and wish her continued success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Cathy L. Ruff.