A House Resolution s7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A HOUSE RESOLUTION 10 11 TO RECOGNIZE DENNIS LEE OF CHARLESTON, 12 PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF HENRY J. LEE 13 DISTRIBUTORS, AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY 14 AND VARIED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BEER INDUSTRY 15 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 16 17 Whereas, it is appropriate for the South Carolina House of 18 Representatives to acknowledge the contributions of the citizens of 19 this State whose life’s work contribute significantly to the 20 economy of our State; and 21 22 Whereas, Dennis Lee of Charleston, president and owner of Henry 23 J. Lee Distributors, is certainly one such South Carolinian worthy 24 of this special recognition; and 25 26 Whereas, the Lee family got their start in the beer industry in 27 South Carolina in 1953 when Henry J. Lee, Sr. worked for Pilot 28 Beer Wholesalers in Charleston; and 29 30 Whereas, in 1961, he purchased Pilot and renamed it Henry J. Lee 31 Distributors in 1963; and 32 33 Whereas, from 1953 to 1982, the company was a “Schlitz only” 34 distributor but in 1982, the company was awarded the rights to 35 Coors Brewing Company products and then purchased the rights to 36 the Stroh brands two years later; and 37 38 Whereas, the senior Lee’s two sons grew up in the beer business 39 and sadly Henry J. Lee, Jr., “Buddy”, was killed in an auto 40 accident in April of 1987. Henry J. Lee, Sr., also died in August of 41 that same year of cancer; and 42

1 [5142] 1 1 Whereas, Dennis Lee took up the reins of the family business and 2 became president and owner of the business in 1987; and 3 4 Whereas, with Dennis Lee at the helm, the business thrived and 5 evolved into one of the premier coastal distributors in the State. 6 He purchased Bay Beverage Distributors, the Charleston 7 Miller/Heileman distributor, and completed the purchase of 8 Momentum Distributors of Beaufort in 1991; and 9 10 Whereas, under his able leadership, Lee Distributors grew to serve 11 seven counties along the South Carolina Coast from Charleston to 12 Georgia. Its portfolio includes brands from twelve different 13 suppliers including Miller, Coors, Pabst, Gambrinus, and Diageo; 14 and 15 16 Whereas, Henry J. Lee, Sr., Buddy Lee, and Dennis Lee have all 17 contributed greatly to the beer industry in the State. Each was 18 active on the Beer Wholesalers Association with each having 19 served on the Board of Directors as well as each serving a term as 20 Chairman of the Board; and 21 22 Whereas, the family business has recently been sold to the Reyes 23 family who promises to honor the legacy of the Lee family and 24 continue operations primarily “as is” with the current employees. 25 Dennis Lee helped the Reyes family get started in the beer 26 business in 1976 in Spartanburg and they are honored to be 27 continuing what Dennis Lee, his father, and brother built; and 28 29 Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of 30 Representatives pauses to acknowledge the life’s work of the Lee 31 family of Charleston and their contributions to the economy of 32 South Carolina as a result. Certainly, barley and hops run in the 33 blood of the Lee family. Now, therefore, 34 35 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives: 36 37 That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of 38 South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize Dennis Lee of 39 Charleston, president and owner of Henry J. Lee Distributors, and 40 commend him for his many and varied contributions to the beer 41 industry in South Carolina. 42

1 [5142] 2 1 Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to 2 Mr. Dennis Lee of Charleston. 3 ----XX---- 4

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