TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE BEATRICE GALLMAN OF AIKEN COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that Beatrice Gallman of Aiken County will celebrate her one hundred and third birthday on April 8, 2015; and

Whereas, Beatrice Gallman, known to many as Ms. Bea, came into this world on April 8, 1912, when the twentieth century was still in its youth. She has been witness to nearly all the incredible changes that have come to this nation from that time into the second decade of the twenty-first century; and

Whereas, blessed with a large and loving family, Ms. Bea is the mother of one daughter, eighty-four year old Lizzie Wakefield, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren. In addition, she has survived her parents, two husbands, three brothers, three sisters, and two half-sisters; and

Whereas, as a twelve-year old child living in the Talatha community south of Aiken, Beatrice Gallman began working ninety-one years ago when her mother arranged for Beatrice to help care for the baby of a local mailman and his wife. Today she continues to work regularly, spending several hours each Thursday cleaning three bathrooms and a small kitchen at Aiken Surgical Associates, where she has worked for the past forty years; and

Whereas, greatly loved and highly respected throughout the Aiken community, Beatrice Gallman is the subject of portraits on display at the Etherredge Center at the University of South Carolina Aiken and at Aiken Surgical Associates; and

Whereas, appreciative of help but proudly independent, Ms. Gallman continues to live alone in an apartment in Aiken. She prepares her own breakfast, but also enjoys eating out at Captain D's and Wendy's; and

Whereas, for entertainment, Ms. Gallman follows Atlanta Braves baseball and enjoys watching "Judge Judy" and "The Price is Right" on television. A devoted member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in the Petticoat Junction area of Aiken, she arises at four o'clock in the morning on Sundays to ensure that she is ready when the church bus arrives to pick her up for services; and

Whereas, accurately described as a "walking miracle" by her granddaughter, Ms. Bea credits her longevity to the goodness of the Lord, to being nice and helpful to people, and to staying active through work and other interests; and

Whereas, to honor Ms. Bea at this very special time in her life, on April 8, 2015, her work family at Aiken Surgical Associates will host a party to celebrate the one hundred and third birthday of their beloved Ms. Bea, mindful that the party must end in time for her to watch her favorite soap opera; and

Whereas, the Senate is proud to honor this truly remarkable and lovely lady in commemorating her one hundred and third birthday, and the members join with her family and friends in honoring and congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Beatrice Gallman of Aiken County on the occasion of her one hundred and third birthday, and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Beatrice Gallman.