TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HONORABLE TERRY WRIGHT, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF BRUNSON, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-SIX YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that the Honorable Terry Wright will begin a well-deserved retirement after thirty-six years of outstanding service to the Town of Brunson, the last twenty-four of which have been as the town's distinguished and highly-regarded mayor; and
Whereas, born on August 28, 1948, he is the son of Corine Williams Wright and Jessie Wright, Jr. He was reared in a loving family with eight siblings: Carl McKay Wright, Joey Wright, Jimmy Wright, Terry Williams, Malcolm Williams, Patricia Pinckney, Sharon Forester, and the late Tommie Wright; and
Whereas, Mayor Wright graduated from the former North District Training School in 1966 and earned an associate's degree in business administration from Beaufort Technical College; and
Whereas, in the proud tradition of sons of the Palmetto State, Terry Wright entered military service in the United States Marine Corps in 1967 during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1969. He continued to serve for thirty-one years in the South Carolina National Guard, retiring at the rank of Sergeant Major; and
Whereas, for thirty-four years, he served at the Savannah River Site, becoming the first African American promoted to supervisor in the Electrical and Instrument Department, and retiring in 2004 as a manager; and
Whereas, among numerous improvements under his leadership as mayor, the town installed fire hydrants accessible to all its residents, updated water and sewage systems, purchased the current Town Hall building, and obtained grants to renovate houses in the town. He was also instrumental in obtaining a grant to purchase The Old Preacher House to be used as a museum and computer lab and to repair and demolish numerous dilapidated structures; and
Whereas, Mayor Wright has served his community with devotion in a variety of capacities, including as a past board member and president of the South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors, a past president of District No. 7 South Carolina High School Football League, and a past board member of the South Carolina Municipal Association and of the National Conference of Black Mayors; and
Whereas, a faithful member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, he has served the congregation as a deacon and church clerk. He also served on the executive committee and board of directors for the Southern Carolina Alliance, as vice president of the Arnold Fields Endowment, and as a board member of Hampton County District One Education Foundation; and
Whereas, together with his beloved wife of forty-three years, Mary Alice Williams Wright, he reared three fine children: Frances Deirdre Harris, Mary Amanda Ritter, and Terrance Williams Wright. They have blessed their parents with the affection of three grandchildren: Amyah Jenell Ritter, Brooklyn Jenae Ritter, and Chyler Jenice Ritter; and
Whereas, he plans to spend many hours in retirement in some of his favorite pastimes: fishing, golfing, walking his dog, and especially traveling with his sweetheart, Mary Alice; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the years of unparalleled dedication that Mayor Terry Wright has devoted to the Town of Brunson and join with his well wishers at a celebration dinner on February 23, 2018, to honor his service and to wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Honorable Terry Wright, Mayor of the Town of Brunson, upon the occasion of his retirement after thirty-six years of outstanding service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Terry Wright.