South Carolina S 1148: Rudy Socha

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1148 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 28, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1148

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Rudy Socha for his work with 
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans and to commend him for years of service 
protecting the coastal habitats of the State.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Rudy Socha for his work with 
Wounded Nature-Working Veterans; and

Whereas, a veteran of 
the United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard Master Captain, Mr. 
Socha founded Wounded Nature-Working Veterans, a national nonprofit with a 
powerful mission: to restore and protect coastal habitats through the removal 
of debris and abandoned vessels while engaging veterans and communities in 
meaningful environmental service; and

Whereas, under his 
leadership, this volunteer-driven organization has made an extraordinary impact 
by removing nearly two hundred fifty derelict and abandoned vessels, along with 
various types of marine debris from the State's coastal waterways. These were 
not just eyesores, they were environmental hazards contributing to 
microplastics, fiberglass, fuel, lead, and toxic materials seeping into our 
waters and threatening marine life and water quality; and

Whereas, under the 
direction of Mr. Socha, Wounded Nature also participates in oyster bed 
restoration, recognizing their vital role in rebuilding marine ecosystems. In 
2025, the group worked alongside the South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources to lay over three hundred oyster beds that will stop erosion and 
generate over one million oysters in five years; and

Whereas, Mr. Socha has partnered 
with local law enforcement agencies, tour boat operators who transport 
volunteers into hard-to-reach marshes, and businesses that donate time, 
resources, and expertise. He also built and maintains a law enforcement mooring 
ball in Charleston, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in 
managing derelict and abandoned vessels; and

Whereas, he works hard 
to keep Wounded Nature-Working Veterans focused on making a real difference in 
increasing the quality and quantity of the nation's seafood stocks and coastal 
wildlife populations, bettering local coastal communities, and increasing 
tourism to the State; and

Whereas, Mr. Socha's 
work reflects a rare combination of leadership, determination, and purpose. He 
has turned awareness into action and action into a lasting impact, maintaining 
the beauty and safety of South Carolina's coastal plain for all to enjoy; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that 
Mr. Socha has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina. 
Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the 
South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 
recognize and honor Rudy Socha for his work with Wounded Nature-Working 
Veterans and commend him for years of service protecting the coastal habitats 
of the State.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the founder and CEO of Wounded 
Nature-Working Veterans, Rudy Socha.

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This web page was last updated on April 28, 2026 at 12:10 PM