South Carolina H 4431: Candy Barr Bowen Sympathy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4431 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 30, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4431

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO SALUTE WILLIAM 
BEARD OF DORCHESTER COUNTY FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION, TO 
CONGRATULATE HIM AT THE CELEBRATION OF HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HIM 
MUCH HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, on May 25, 
2025, William Beard of Dorchester County will awaken to the celebration of a 
milestone event: his eightieth birthday. Born on May 25, 1945, he has lived a 
life devoted to serving others, most remarkably as a member of the United 
States military, and is deserving of much praise; and

Whereas, as a teenager, 
the young William joined the United States Navy, and he was among the first 
advisors sent to Vietnam at the beginning of the conflict. Master Chief Beard's 
years of selfless service and actions during the Vietnam War, most of which 
were spent in Special Operations with the Navy, brought him multiple awards; 
and

Whereas, his multitude 
of honors for heroism and patriotism include various expeditionary medals, good 
service awards, meritorious commendation awards for combat in Vietnam, Navy 
achievement medals, and combat action ribbons, among many other recognitions; 
and

Whereas, William Beard 
retired as a master chief from the Navy with twenty-five years of honorable 
service, and though he was already a disabled veteran, he went on to work for 
the Department of Defense at the Navy Shipyard in North Charleston. He was medically 
retired from the Department of Defense after jumping to save a colleague from a 
falling submarine ladder. Almost killed in this incident, he spent weeks in a 
coma and was never supposed to wake up, speak again, or walk on his own. That 
was over thirty years ago for this resident of Summerville; and

Whereas, Master Chief 
William Beard (USN Ret.) is the epitome of what we in America mean when we say 
the word "hero." He has spent his entire life sacrificing for the nation he 
continues to love. And he has been proud to do so; and

Whereas, it is a great 
pleasure to celebrate this son of South Carolina on the occasion of his 
eightieth birthday, and it is a further pleasure to honor his many years of 
service to our country. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, salute 
William Beard of Dorchester County for a lifetime of service to our great 
nation, congratulate him at the celebration of his eightieth birthday, and wish 
him much health and happiness in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to William Beard.

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This web page was last updated on April 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM