2005-2006 Bill 1449: Tommy Gene Powell - South Carolina Legislature Online

1 South Carolina General Assembly 2 116th Session, 2005-2006 3 4 S. 1449 5 6 STATUS INFORMATION 7 8 Concurrent Resolution 9 Sponsors: Senator Verdin 10 Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\21272sd06.doc 11 12 Introduced in the Senate on May 24, 2006 13 Introduced in the House on May 24, 2006 14 Adopted by the General Assembly on May 24, 2006 15 16 Summary: Tommy Gene Powell 17 18 19 HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS 20 21 Date Body Action Description with journal page number 22 5/24/2006 Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-11 23 5/24/2006 House Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-93 24 25 26 VERSIONS OF THIS BILL 27 28 5/24/2006 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10 11 TO COMMEND MR. TOMMY GENE POWELL OF LAURENS 12 COUNTY FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE 13 AS A MARINE IN VIETNAM WHERE HE SUSTAINED 14 PAINFUL DISABILITIES, AND TO HONOR HIM FOR A 15 PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING ADULT LIFE AS A 16 SINGLE PARENT NOTWITHSTANDING THESE 17 DISABILITIES. 18 19 Whereas, Tommy Gene Powell of Laurens County is a brave and 20 patriotic South Carolinian. He served in the United States Marines 21 Corps and entered basic boot camp on May 25, 1968, and 22 graduated on July 26, 1968, at Parris Island, South Carolina. He 23 fought in the Vietnam War from December 1968 until May 1969 24 at which time in the line of duty, he was wounded by a landmine; 25 and 26 27 Whereas, he received compound fractures to both legs and had to 28 learn how to walk again. The extent of his injuries resulted in the 29 deterioration of knee cartilage and constant swelling in his feet and 30 legs and due to poor circulation and arthritis; and 31 32 Whereas, his recovery was at the Naval Hospital in Charleston. 33 He received an Honorable Discharge on December 31, 1969, but 34 since that time his recovery has been slow and painful. It has 35 taken years to achieve; and 36 37 Whereas, for his gallantry and service in Vietnam, he was awarded 38 the following military commendations: 39 (1) National Defense Service Medal; 40 (2) Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars; 41 (3) Republic of Vietnam MVC Gallantry Cross; 42 (4) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal;

1 [1449] 1 1 (5) Purple Heart; 2 (6) Combat Action Ribbon; 3 (7) Marine Corps Honorable Discharge Button; 4 (8) Marine Corps Marksman Rifle Badge; and 5 (9) Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon; and 6 7 Whereas, despite his disability, Mr. Powell was a successful single 8 parent of two children younger than five-years old. He raised them 9 to adulthood without accepting any help from governmental or 10 other sources, and they grew into productive contributing adults; 11 and 12 13 Whereas, for life of military service and parenthood despite his 14 disabilities, this brave and courageous South Carolinian is truly a 15 hero to all those who know and respect him; and 16 17 Whereas, the members of the General Assembly would like to 18 publicly recognize and honor Tommy Gene Powell for a 19 wonderful and productive life that has overcome so many 20 obstacles and for a life which serves as an example for others to 21 follow. Now, therefore, 22 23 Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives 24 concurring: 25 26 That the members of the General Assembly commend Mr. Tommy 27 Gene Powell of Laurens County for his distinguished military 28 service as a marine in Vietnam where he sustained painful 29 disabilities, and honor him for a productive and fulfilling adult life 30 as a single parent notwithstanding these disabilities. 31 32 Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to 33 Mr. Tommy Gene Powell. 34 ----XX---- 35

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