TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF COLONEL NORMAN P. HUGGINS AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Colonel Norman P. Huggins on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the age of eighty-eight; and

Whereas, Colonel Norman P. Huggins was born the oldest of four boys on October 24, 1929 in Mullins, South Carolina to parents J. Lawton and Lucille Wiggins Huggins; and

Whereas, a Vietnam War hero, Colonel Huggins served in the United States Air Force as an Officer and Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot. He received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his efforts in a three-hour engagement with North Viet Cong on October 31, 1965. Colonel Huggins was one of the first ten fighter pilots shot down over North Vietnam and the first to make it back without being captured. He was part of a crew called VooDoo 101er Tactical Reconnaissance Pilots, flying the RF 101 C for low-level Tactical Recon. The tag line for these VooDoo 101ers was "alone, unarmed, and unafraid"; and

Whereas, after retirement, Colonel Huggins was instrumental in saving the Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia from the downsizing of military bases. He was also active in the Order of the Daedalians, Gator Flight, associated with Moody Air Force Base; and

Whereas, Colonel Huggins will be remembered as a passionate outdoorsman and conservationist. He was a hunting and fishing enthusiast and was quite involved in helping the Nature Conservancy's efforts to protect beautiful and unspoiled land tracts along the Little Pee Dee River in Marion County, South Carolina; and

Whereas, Colonel Huggins was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Pierce Huggins and Dr. Kenneth Lawton Huggins, and a son-in-law, Lt. Col. Barry Dale Fulbright, USAF; and

Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of sixty-five years, Mary June Norwood Huggins; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce Norwood Huggins and Jill Elaine Huggins; daughter, Suzanne Huggins Fulbright; three grandsons, John "Jack" Norwood Fulbright, Jonathan Norman Huggins, and Peter Norwood Huggins; and brother, Chief Warrant Officer IV James Franklin Huggins, SCANG; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly cherish the legacy of this son of South Carolina. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Colonel Norman P. Huggins and extend their 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 Norman P. Huggins.