Bill Text: SC S0856 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Colonel Houston T. "Terry" Hawkins
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-06-29 - Introduced and adopted [S0856 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-S0856-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF COLONEL HOUSTON T. "TERRY" HAWKINS, RETIRED, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Colonel Houston T. "Terry" Hawkins, Retired, on Monday, June 14, 2021; and
Whereas, a native of Seneca, Colonel Hawkins was born to parents Reverend Thomas "Houston" and Mary Elaine Moore Hawkins. He was an alumnus of Clemson College; and
Whereas, a veteran of the United States Air Force, Colonel Hawkins served for twenty-five years, including a deployment in Japan during the Vietnam War. Over the years, he served as the leader of the Defense Intelligence Agency's Nuclear Energy Division, member of the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee, co-chair of the Department of Defense's Hard Target Kill Committee, special assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Air Force Nuclear Matters, and leader of growth and development for the Defense Nuclear Agency's Defense Threat Reduction Office; and
Whereas, he continued his service to the nation at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he worked as a senior manager and technical leader; and
Whereas, as an internationally recognized expert on modern terrorism, Colonel Hawkins served on the Presidential Panel on National Infrastructure Protection. He delivered invited lectures worldwide on this topic; and
Whereas, throughout his life, Colonel Hawkins received a number of honors and awards in recognition of his work, including the Chief Justice Earl Warren Medallion, the highest honor granted by the Central Intelligence Agency to non-CIA persons; the Aviation Week & Space Technology 2000 Laurel Award; two Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation Medallions; two Defense Superior Service Medals; the Legion of Merit; two Air Force Superior Service Medals; the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Humanitarian Service Medal; the Korean Defense Medal; and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; and
Whereas, a devout Christian, he served as a deacon and adult Sunday school teacher at White Rock Baptist Church in White Rock, New Mexico, for more than three decades; and
Whereas, Colonel Hawkins was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; uncles; several aunts, in-laws, sisters, and brothers-in-law; and one grandson, James Christian Erpenbeck; and
Whereas, he is survived by his wife, Martha; aunt, Lucille Hawkins Sanders; aunt, Jean Hawkins Roper; brother, Roger Hawkins (Marcia); sister, Rachel Hawkins Bolt; daughters, Dr. Heather Hawkins Erpenbeck (Gregory) and Holly Hawkins Saporito (Nick); four grandchildren, Eli Erpenbeck and Charlotte, Sawyer, and Harper Saporito; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and lifelong friends. He will be greatly missed, and his dedicated and loyal service to this State and nation will never be forgotten. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Colonel Houston T. "Terry" Hawkins, Retired, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Colonel Houston T. "Terry" Hawkins, Retired.
