TO COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR DAVID BEASLEY ON HIS DISTINGUISHED GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN RECOGNITION OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARDED IN 2020 TO THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME, AND THE INTERNATIONAL DISTINCTION BROUGHT TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE NATION'S NUMBER ONE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the Folks Center for International Business at the Darla Moore School of Business pays tribute to Governor David Beasley's outstanding and dedicated public service to South Carolina and the world, and deeply appreciates his presence and presentation on March 29, 2022, at its Folks Center Forum; and
Whereas, under Beasley's leadership, the Nobel Peace Prize 2020 was awarded to World Food Programme (WFP) for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas, and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict; and
Whereas, Beasley has played a pivotal role in drawing global attention to the devastating link between conflict, migration and human displacement and the pernicious impact this has on hunger across the world. He has been singularly dedicated to demonstrating the positive effect of food assistance in helping to build peace and long-term prosperity; and
Whereas, never one to be fearful of speaking truth to power, Beasley has established an enviable reputation among global humanitarian leaders, always taking a moral and principled stand in support of the weak and the hungry against those political leaders who are willing to trade off the lives of the poor and the weak in return for maintaining power, without responsibility; and
Whereas, in identifying and exemplifying the unique value of WFP as an agency that has the expertise to both save lives in emergencies and change lives through longer term development, Beasley has equipped the agency with a system to respond to the greatest needs of the most vulnerable people in a world where disruption and shock are the new norm; and
Whereas, by taking a compelling argument and lobbying at the heart of power in the U.S. capital, Beasley arrested a decline in funding, ensuring an increase in donations from around US $2 billion in 2016 to almost US $4 billion in 2021; and
Whereas, Beasley has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to make a logical and compelling connection between the political reality of donor governments and the need to address food needs to protect global stability and prosperity; and
Whereas, there are times when it is the individual and not the office who ensures success through sheer force of personality, moral compass and direct intervention. In March 2019, he was confronted with news of one of the greatest tragedies ever to face WFP: the Ethiopian Airways crash, where the agency lost seven close colleagues. The situation demanded that Beasley play the role of father figure and comforter to a traumatized workforce and he was not found wanting; and
Whereas, driven by the motivation of his own personal mission to help others and bring peace to the world, Beasley was instrumental in providing a humanitarian lifeline to a community in South Kordofan, Sudan, that had been cut off from the outside world for almost a decade. Here, as ever, it was the absolute refusal to accept and abandon hungry children, regardless of the politics that drove Beasley forward and towards success for the benefit of a common humanity. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Governor David Beasley for making a profound difference in the world and bringing great distinction to the State of South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Governor David Beasley.