Charles Ruth

2025-2026 Bill 838: Charles Ruth - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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S. 838
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Cromer
Document Path: SR-0492KM-VC26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 21, 2026
Adopted by the Senate on January 21, 2026
Summary: Charles Ruth
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/21/2026

Senate

Introduced and adopted (
Senate Journal-page 8
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/21/2026

A
senate
RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CHARLES RUTH FOR HIS
THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO
COMMEND HIM FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION,
SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT, AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Charles Ruth for his
exceptional career of public service and his enduring contributions to wildlife
conservation and management in this State; and

W
hereas, Mr. Ruth
devoted thirty-one years of distinguished service to the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division,
retiring after a career defined by integrity, professionalism, and unwavering
dedication to the conservation and stewardship of the State's natural resources;
and

W
hereas, throughout his
career, Mr. Ruth served in progressively responsible positions, culminating in
his role as Big Game Coordinator, in which he provided statewide leadership for
the management of South Carolina's deer, wild turkey, and black bear
populations; and

W
hereas, Mr. Ruth
played a significant role in providing technical expertise, drafting support,
and testimony on more than one hundred pieces of legislation that became law,
addressing complex issues involving wildlife conservation, public safety,
private property rights, hunting traditions, and wildlife disease management;
and

W
hereas, a civic
leader, Mr. Ruth demonstrated a strong commitment to public engagement and
transparency by conducting numerous public meetings and stakeholder forums
across the State to ensure that wildlife policies were informed by sound
science, public input, and responsible management principles; and

W
hereas, Mr. Ruth was
instrumental in the development and implementation of cooperative research
initiatives with leading universities and federal partners, directing millions
of dollars toward research projects focused on wildlife ecology, population
dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and disease prevention, thereby
positioning South Carolina as a national leader in science-based wildlife
management; and

W
hereas, Mr. Ruth's service
extended beyond policy and research to include extensive public education and
outreach, participation in hundreds of public presentations and media
interviews, maintenance of a law enforcement commission for more than two
decades, and service as a qualified expert witness in state and federal courts;
and

W
hereas, prior to and
upon his retirement, Mr. Ruth was the only state agency wildlife biologist in
the Eastern United States coordinating a comprehensive big game program that
included deer, wild turkey, and black bear, reflecting the extraordinary scope
of his responsibility and professional stature; and

W
hereas, Mr. Ruth's
career has left a lasting legacy of strengthened conservation practices,
protected outdoor traditions, and responsible stewardship of South Carolina's
wildlife resources for current and future generations; and

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that
Mr. Ruth has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina. Now,
therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
Senate
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
Senate
, by this resolution,
recognize and honor Charles Ruth for his thirty-one years of exemplary service
to the State of South Carolina, and commend him for his outstanding leadership
in wildlife conservation, science-based management, and public service.

B
e it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Charles Ruth.

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This web page was last updated on January 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM