TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MARY ASKINS SCHWEERS, DIRECTOR OF THE UPPER SCHOOL AT ASHLEY HALL IN CHARLESTON COUNTY AND TO COMMEND HER SINGULAR ACT OF HEROISM TO PROTECT HER STUDENTS IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2013.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are deeply grateful for the remarkably heroic actions of Mary Askins Schweers in putting the safety of her students above her own life and, thereby, averting certain catastrophe on the campus Ashley Hall; and

Whereas, founded in 1909, Ashley Hall seeks to produce an educated woman who is independent, ethically responsible, and prepared to meet the challenges of society with confidence; and

Whereas, a 1989 graduate of the College of Charleston in English, Mary Schweers earned a master of arts in teaching from The Citadel in 1993; and

Whereas, she began teaching at Ashley Hall in 1995 after several years of exceptional teaching experience at schools in Charleston, Georgetown, and Andrews. Since 2007, she has served in the school's administration and currently serves as the director of the Upper School; and

Whereas, when a lone gunman entered the campus during afternoon dismissal in February 2013, Ms. Schweers courageously placed herself between the assailant and the students; and

Whereas, she and other school administrators seamlessly carried out a well-rehearsed emergency plan to secure the campus in the event of a school shooting and detained the perpetrator at the gate who fired repeatedly but unsuccessfully at Ms. Schweers with a loaded firearm; and

Whereas, her actions that day set a vivid and memorable example for her students of a woman prepared to meet the challenges of society with confidence; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the brave and calm actions of Mary Schweers, which prevented certain tragedy until the police arrived to apprehend the attacker. 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 Mary Askins Schweers, director of the Upper School at Ashley Hall in Charleston County and commend her singular act of heroism to protect her students in early February 2013.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mary Askins Schweers.