South Carolina S 1159: Bill Gaither

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1159 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 29, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1159

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Bill Gaither upON THE OCCASION OF 
HIS Ninetieth BIRTHDAY AND TO Commend him for his tremendous contributions to American 
Christian Music.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to congratulate Bill Gaither upon the 
celebration of his ninetieth birthday, which occurred on March 28, 2026, and to 
commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music; and

Whereas, a native of Alexandria, 
Indiana, Mr. Gaither was born on March 28, 1936, to parents George Gaither and 
Lela Hartwell. He is an alumnus of Anderson College and Ball State University; 
and

Whereas, Mr. Gaither 
began his career in gospel music by founding the Bill Gaither trio alongside 
his siblings Danny and Mary Ann in 1956, while a student at Anderson College. 
After graduating, he worked as an English teacher at Alexandria High School 
while pursuing music part-time. Mr. Gaither met his wife, Gloria, there in 1962 
while she was a substitute French teacher. In 1967, he began working full time 
in the Christian music industry thanks to his breakout hit, "He Touched Me;" 
and

Whereas, over the 
years, Mr. and Mrs. Gaither have written over seven hundred gospel songs, which 
have been performed by Christian artists, country singers like the Statler 
Brothers, and pop legends like Elvis Presley. Together, they have collectively earned 
eight Grammy Awards and more than a dozen nominations, and they have received 
more than two dozen Dove Awards from The Gospel Music Association, earning the 
title of Gospel Music Association's "Songwriter of the Year" eight times; and

Whereas, the Gaither's 
Homecoming tours, which started in 1991, brought together major stars of the 
southern gospel and contemporary Christian music industries, sparking a revival 
of the genres. The tours have sold more than one million tickets across the 
world, and have included such notable venues as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie 
Hall; and

Whereas, Mr. Gaither 
has been a father figure to many younger performers in the Contemporary 
Christian music industry, while helping to prolong the careers of those who 
came before him. Mark Lowry, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Sandi Patty, Steve 
Green, Don Francisco, Amy Grant, Michael English, Jonathan Pierce, Karla 
Worley, and Cynthia Clawson are all contemporary Christian artists who either 
got their start or became popular while touring with the Gaithers; and

Whereas, Mr. Gaither 
founded the Gaither Music Company, which includes the functions of record 
company, concert booking, television production, copyright management, 
recording studio, and telemarketing for the Gaither organization. After decades 
of unprecedented musical successes, Bill and Gloria still operate this business 
from Alexandria; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Senate takes great pleasure in honoring such an icon in American Christian 
music on his ninetieth birthday and wishes him much success in the years ahead. 
 Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the 
South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 
congratulate Bill Gaither upon the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and 
commend him for his tremendous contributions to American Christian music.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bill Gaither.

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This web page was last updated on April 29, 2026 at 04:27 PM