TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR PATTY E. VOWELL, FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF TRANSPORTATION INSPECTOR, ON THE OCCASION OF HER RECENT RETIREMENT FROM A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO THANK HER FOR HER MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, for nearly three decades, Patty E. Vowell carried out her duties in law enforcement, first at the county level and then at the state level, with excellence, most recently as a transportation inspector for the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff; and

Whereas, a native of Florida, Patty Vowell moved in 1973 with her family to the Palmetto State, where the family settled in Johnston. In 1981, the young Patty graduated from Strom Thurmond High School at the tender age of sixteen. After her five years of military service, she relocated to Saluda, her present home; and

Whereas, Patty served in varied positions over the course of her career, but most of them lay in law enforcement. She began in that field as a dispatcher/jailer for the Saluda Sheriff's Department, moving up to deputy sheriff and later sergeant/training officer for the department. She then took up her duties with the South Carolina Public Service Commission as a transportation inspector, afterwards filling the same position for the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff; and

Whereas, Patty began work with law enforcement in the State of South Carolina in 1991. She brought her twenty-six-year law enforcement career to a conclusion on June 1, 2017, and commenced what her colleagues and friends have no doubt will prove a fruitful retirement; and

Whereas, at home in the Saluda community, Patty's record of humble, exemplary community service is varied and of long duration. She assists community clubs and organizations with secretarial work, and along with Patsy Rhodes donates yardwork and housecleaning services to the sick and elderly, cleans unkept gravesites and puts flowers on the plots, volunteers time to take friends and community members to appointments, calls on the sick and elderly and takes them meals and fresh vegetables from her garden, and assists with the coat drive for elementary students. Further, in the earliest years of her career, Patty served as a volunteer emergency medical technician and member of the rescue squad; and

Whereas, the Senate, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Patty Vowell has bestowed on the people of South Carolina, is pleased to wish her well as she enjoys retirement and trusts she will find much pleasure in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Patty E. Vowell, former South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff transportation inspector, on the occasion of her recent retirement from law enforcement, thank her for her many years of outstanding and dedicated service to the State of South Carolina, and wish her much success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Patty Vowell.