South Carolina H 4947: Immigration

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4947 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 15, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4947

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CHARLES RUTH FOR HIS 
THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO 
COMMEND HIM FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, 
SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

Whereas, Charles Ruth 
devoted thirty-one years of distinguished service to the South Carolina 
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, 
retiring after a career defined by integrity, professionalism, and unwavering 
dedication to the conservation and stewardship of the state's natural 
resources; and

Whereas, throughout his 
career, Charles Ruth served in progressively more responsible positions, 
culminating in his role as big game coordinator, in which he provided statewide 
leadership for the management of South Carolina's deer, wild turkey, and black 
bear populations; and

Whereas, Charles Ruth 
played a significant role in providing technical expertise, drafting support, 
and testimony on more than one hundred pieces of legislation that became law, 
addressing complex issues involving wildlife conservation, public safety, private 
property rights, hunting traditions, and wildlife disease management; and

Whereas, he 
demonstrated a strong commitment to public engagement and transparency by 
conducting numerous public meetings and stakeholder forums across the State to 
ensure that wildlife policies were informed by sound science, public input, and 
responsible management principles; and

Whereas, Charles Ruth 
was instrumental in the development and implementation of cooperative research 
initiatives with leading universities and federal partners, directing millions 
of dollars toward research projects focused on wildlife ecology, population 
dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and disease prevention, thereby 
positioning South Carolina as a national leader in science-based wildlife 
management; and

Whereas, his service 
extended beyond policy and research to include extensive public education and 
outreach, participation in hundreds of public presentations and media 
interviews, maintenance of a law enforcement commission for more than two 
decades, and service as a qualified expert witness in state and federal courts; 
and

Whereas, prior to, and 
upon, his retirement, Charles Ruth was the only state agency wildlife biologist 
in the Eastern United States coordinating a comprehensive big game program that 
included deer, wild turkey, and black bear, reflecting the extraordinary scope 
of his responsibility and professional stature; and

Whereas, Charles Ruth's 
career has left a lasting legacy of strengthened conservation practices, 
protected outdoor traditions, and responsible stewardship of South Carolina's 
wildlife resources for current and future generations. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Charles Ruth for his thirty-one years 
of exemplary service to the State of South Carolina and commend him for his 
outstanding leadership in wildlife conservation, science-based management, and 
public service.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Charles Ruth.

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