A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Samaritan's Feet UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS twentieth ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND the organization FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Samaritan's Feet as it celebrates this important milestone; and

Whereas, since its founding in 2003, Samaritan's Feet has served more than nine million people in more than one hundred countries and in five hundred sixty cities across the United States. In 2022, Samaritan's Feet delivered nearly six thousand pairs of shoes in South Carolina alone; and

Whereas, Samaritan's Feet has its origins in Lagos, Nigeria, where a missionary from Wisconsin was hosting a basketball contest in the park. A nine-year-old boy named Manny decided to join in, despite never having played basketball. He won the contest, and the prize was a pair of canvas tennis shoes, Manny's first pair of shoes; and

Whereas, this gift made Manny work hard to develop his skills and talents. He earned a full basketball scholarship to Lake Region State College in North Dakota, where he met his wife, Tracie; and

Whereas, Tracie grew up in North Dakota in a family often on welfare. By participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, she found encouragement and hope; and

Whereas, when Manny and Tracie Ohonme visited family in Nigeria, they found that things had not changed. Children were still walking around barefoot. Determined to make a difference, they began Samaritan's Feet in 2003; and

Whereas, Manny and Tracie Ohonme's ministry began in their garage in Charlotte, North Carolina and has grown into a global movement. They hosted shoe distributions where volunteers would wash the feet of recipients, taking that time to encourage them; and

Whereas, today, through the efforts of Samaritan's Feet and its partners, millions of people around the world have been served with a pair of shoes and a message of hope; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of Samaritan's Feet to serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Samaritan's Feet upon the occasion of its twentieth anniversary and commend the organization for its many years of dedicated service to the people and the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Samaritan's Feet.

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