[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E177-E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE CAREER OF RHETT BICKLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, for over 40 years Rhett 
Bickley has dedicated his time and effort to ensuring the preservation 
of South Carolina's ecosystem. From 1966 to 2000, Rhett worked for the 
South Carolina Forestry Commission where he served in numerous 
capacities ranging from Urban and District Forester to Director of 
Training and Safety.
  From 2000 to 2010, Rhett served as the Lexington County Landscape 
Administrator. In addition to his roles with the South Carolina 
Forestry Commission and as the Lexington County Landscape 
Administrator, Rhett served as Chairman of the Lexington County Soil 
and Water Conservation District and as Vice-chairman of the Greater 
Columbia Landscapee Association. He has encouraged community leaders 
such as attorney Jake Moore of IRMO to promote Labor Day tree 
plantings. Rhett also served as Commissioner of the Lexington County 
Soil and Water Conservation District

[[Page E178]]

from 2000-2010 and as Treasurer of the South Carolina Association of 
Conservation Districts from 2003-2008.
  Throughout his esteemed career Rhett has been the recipient of many 
distinguished awards. He was a Clemson University Outstanding Forestry 
Alumnus in 1982 and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation Forest 
Conservationist of the Year in 1985. Moreover, Rhett received the 
prestigious honor of being named a Certified Forester by the Society of 
American Foresters in 1999.
  Recently, Rhett retired from a 44 year career dedicated to ensuring 
the well-being of South Carolina's ecosystem. I appreciate Rhett's 
steadfast dedication to the Palmetto State and I wish him all the best 
in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________