A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE RICHLAND SERTOMA CLUB FOR ITS OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SUPPORT THE 50TH ANNUAL SPORTSARAMA TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 14, 2010.

Whereas, SERTOMA, a curious word until three very important words come together in unison: SERvice TO MAnkind. Sertoma's primary service project is assisting the more than fifty million people with speech, hearing, and language disorders. Sertoma also sponsors community projects to promote freedom and democracy, youth causes, and a variety of other local community needs, as identified by the individual clubs; and

Whereas, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Sertoma is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit international organization dedicated to "SERvice TO MAnkind", with 20,000-plus members in nearly 700 clubs across Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Every year Sertoma clubs raise more than $20 million for local community service projects. Through these projects, as well as grants and scholarships, Sertoma clubs return those funds to their respective communities; and

Whereas, the Richland Sertoma Club in Columbia, South Carolina is one of the oldest civic clubs in Columbia. Founded in 1959, its members have devoted more than five decades to improving the lives of Midlands citizens; and

Whereas, Richland Sertoma leaders have been involved in launching numerous health, educational, and recreational projects, including the "Stop-Polio Campaign" in the early 1960's; the early planning for the Riverbanks Zoo; a tetanus vaccine program; hearing aids for indigent hearing impaired persons; Columbia College scholarships for Speech and Hearing majors; Columbia Base Camp, a structured home environment for veterans; and Camp Sertoma, a special summer camp for hearing impaired and underprivileged children; and

Whereas, for almost fifty years, the Richland Sertoma Club has earned dozens of national awards and recognitions by consistently providing service-to-mankind. Since its charter, the Richland Sertoma Club has earned Gold Honor status twenty-two times and has raised well over $1,000,000 for various causes in the Midlands; and

Whereas, since 1959, Sportsarama has been the club's major fund raising event of the year. For the annual high school football jamboree, held in late August, the club crowns Mr. and Miss Sportsarama who are chosen from those nominated by each participating high school. Nominees are judged on the basis of scholarship and school/community involvement; and

Whereas, participating Midlands schools at various Sportsaramas have included A.C. Flora, Airport, Ben Lippen, Brookland-Cayce, C.A. Johnson, Cardinal Newman, Chapin, Columbia, Dentsville, Dreher, Eau Claire, Fairfield Central, Hammond School, Heathwood Hall, Irmo, Keenan, Lexington, Lower Richland, Olympia, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Richland North East, and Spring Valley; and

Whereas, many well known coaches, as well as students, have participated over the years, including members of the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame, Art Baker, Charles F. Bolden, Bobby Giles, and Mooney Player, along with other notables such as Warner Montgomery, Harry Parone, Jim Pinkerton, and Jimmy Satterfield. Famed U.S.C. sports announcer Bob Fulton broadcast the first few games; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations to recognize the many good works of this fine organization in South Carolina. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Richland Sertoma Club for its outstanding community service and enthusiastically give their support to the 50th Annual Sportsarama to be held on August 14, 2010.