South Carolina H 5668: Jack C. McDowell, 90th birthday

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5668 Text of Previous Version (May. 07, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5668

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR JACK C. MCDOWELL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH THIS SOUTH CAROLINA-RAISED TARHEEL A JOYOUS 
CELEBRATION OF HIS FOURTH OF JULY NATAL DAY.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that Jack C. McDowell, 
a son of the Palmetto State from early infancy, is celebrating his ninetieth 
birthday on the Fourth of July 2026. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he is proud to share 
our great nation's birthday; and

Whereas, Jack entered 
this world on July 4, 1936, the firstborn of Broadus and Mozelle McDowell. 
While "Little Jackie Mac" was the only one of Mac and Mozelle's five children 
not born in Columbia (he was born in High Point, North Carolina), he moved to 
Columbia as an infant with his parents, was raised in Columbia with siblings 
Melinda, Judy, Rosanne, and Jim, and graduated from Dreher High School and the 
University of South Carolina (USC) with a bachelor's degree in business 
administration. Looking ahead to a military career, he was active in ROTC 
training at both Dreher and USC; and

Whereas, young Jack 
joined the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 as a lieutenant colonel; he also 
retired from a long career in federal civil service administration. While in 
the military, he was posted, among other assignments, at Wiesbaden Air Base, 
Germany, which he and his wife, Carole, used as a take-off point for exploring 
Europe as Jack's duties allowed. After retirement, Jack enjoyed serving on the 
board that selects the applicants to be admitted to the Air Force Academy; and

Whereas, sadly, he lost 
Carole, but in God's good time Jack wed his dear Ann and moved to Hampstead, 
North Carolina. Working outward from that charming town, he and Ann have played 
many a game of golf at the Tarheel State's top-tier courses and have relished 
living just a few miles from Topsail Beach. Homespun fun for Jack includes 
handcrafting gifts and reading everything from histories to mysteries. In 
addition, for decades he was blessed to sing in the church choir, having 
retired only recently as a member and soloist. However, he'll never retire from 
watching the Gamecocks and Hoosiers play ball, and he's ready at any time to 
take you for a spin in his newest toy, a 2026 fire-engine red Camry; and

Whereas, at an early 
age, Jack embraced responsibility and leadership, qualities that would shape 
his legacy of integrity, humility, and service. His siblings recall his 
protective spirit toward them during their growing-up years. Jim remembers 
waking up with nightmares and finding his big brother, twenty years older, 
there to comfort him. Rosanne thinks how Jack proved himself a kind babysitter 
to his little sister. Judy records, "He was a huge help to Mom as we grew up. 
She counted on his dependability. He would always rise to the occasion, even 
when he would rather have been reading his Dave Dawson, pilot, books while 
sitting on his limb of the backyard chinaberry tree. He was just a good boy, a 
good brother, a good son"; and

Whereas, but even Jack 
had his moments. On a family trip to Quebec, Jack had charge of Judy's hairdo. 
(Mom stayed home with baby Rosanne.) Dad was a wonderful parent in many ways, 
but his attention to details like hairdos was a bit lacking, so when everyone swam 
daily in the hotel pool and Jack let Judy sleep with never-unbraided wet hair, 
consequences naturally ensued back home. To wit, Mom unbraided Judy's pigtails, 
the smell of mildewed hair was impossible to ignore, the jig was up, and Jack 
was in a spot of trouble with Mom. Dad, however, remained blissfully unaware of 
the problem; and

Whereas, niece Lissa 
says of him, "Jack has been a constant source of strength throughout my life. 
During times of profound transition and loss, he opened his home, offering 
safety, stability, and love." As for generosity, Rosanne will never forget Jack 
and Ann's gift for her year-2000 birthday, a new car. They bestowed the same on 
their daughter, Jennifer; and

Whereas, it is a great 
pleasure to congratulate this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his 
ninetieth birthday, and it is a further pleasure to join with his family and 
friends in saluting him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, honor Jack C. McDowell on the occasion of his ninetieth 
birthday and wish this South Carolina-raised Tarheel a joyous celebration of 
his Fourth of July natal day.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jack C. McDowe