TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR TERRANCE HAYES UPON HIS INCLUSION AMONG THE 2014 MACARTHUR FELLOWS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that in September 2014 Terrance Hayes was named a 2014 MacArthur Fellow, informally known as the genius grants; and

Whereas, the son of Ethel and James Hayes and a Columbia native, Mr. Hayes is an American poet who has long been recognized for his genius with words and whose books have received national acclaim; and

Whereas, an alumnus of Spring Valley High School, he earned a bachelor's degree from Coker College in Hartsville where he played basketball, and he completed a graduate degree in poetry in 1997 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now serves as a professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh; and

Whereas, since the Chicago-based foundation has no application process for becoming a MacArthur Fellow, Mr. Hayes had no idea he was under consideration and was completely surprised to learn that he had been chosen for the prestigious, no-strings-attached $625,000 grant; and

Whereas, he hopes to use the money awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in some way to encourage others to write, which is fitting since the foundation prefers to call awards creativity grants rather than genius grants; and

Whereas, with his impressive six-foot-six stature and quick, self-deprecating wit, Mr. Hayes forms an imposing stage presence, weaving images in the air with his large hands; and

Whereas, he was the first poet featured by the South Carolina Poetry Initiative in 2004 to read his work, and among his many honors, he won the National Book Award in 2010 for his collection entitled Lighthead; and

Whereas, Terrence Hayes' The Blue Seuss uses Seussian rhymes to tell the African American experience from the Middle Passage to contemporary urban decay; and

Whereas, married to Yona Harvey, a poet herself whose heritage is in Ohio, Mr. Hayes believes Southerners are the best storytellers and allows his Southern upbringing to affect everything he writes; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the pride and recognition that Poet Terrence Hayes has brought to the Palmetto State and celebrate with him on his inclusion as a 2014 MacArthur Fellow. 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 Terrance Hayes, upon his inclusion among the 2014 MacArthur Fellows.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Terrance Hayes.