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BIOGRAPHY |
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Robert Wesley (Wes) Hayes, Jr. was born on December 19, 1952, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the son of Robert W. Hayes and Wilbur Kirkland Hayes. He graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1971. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975. While at West Point he was elected President of the Class of 1975 and served as a Battalion Commander. In 1983, Wes graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in Law School he was elected President of the Student Bar Association, served on the South Carolina Law Review, and was a member of the Order of the Coif. He is a partner in the law firm of Harrelson, Hayes and Guyton. Wes married Sarah Mellon (Sally) Shurley on January 8, 1977. Sally and Wes have three children: Robert Wesley (Wes) Hayes, III,, James Creighton (Creighton) Hayes, and Margaret Mellon (Margaret) Hayes. The family currently resides at 1486 Cureton Drive, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732. Wes currently serves on the boards of the following: South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont, Guardian Fidelity Mortgage Corporation, Westminster Towers, and the York County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill. He was Chairman of the York District Boy Scouts of America from 1985-1991, and Chairman of the Rock Hill United Way Campaign in 1992. Wes is a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Elks, Gideons, Christian Legal Society, National Lawyers Association, and state and county Bar Associations. He received the South Carolina Jaycees Outstanding Young American Award in 1992 and "The Compleat Lawyer Award" from the USC School of Law Alumni Association in 1996. His military service includes service as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg from 1976-1980, and service as a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1980-2005 where he held the rank of Colonel. He is a master parachutist, a ranger and recipient of the Legion of Merit Award. Wes served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1985-1991. He has served as a member of the South Carolina Senate since 1991. He is the recipient of the following awards: Friend of Vocational Education Award from the South Carolina Vocational Education Directors in 1993, Silver Beaver Award from the Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1994, Home Rule Award from the South Carolina Association of Counties in 1995, Legislator of the Year from the South Carolina Cable Television Association in 1998, Legislator of the Year from the South Carolina Pharmacy Association in 1999, South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Legislator of the Year 2002, and special recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in 1998 and 2000, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrators in 1998 and 2000, by Clemson Cooperative Extension in 2000, by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce in 2000, by the South Carolina Sheriffs Association in 2002, and received the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the SC Public Health Association in 2003. Also in 2003, Senator Hayes was recognized by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators for his support and leadership for excellence in education and by the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network and Mothers against Drunk Driving for outstanding legislative support to crime victims. He also received the S. C Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Friend of Education Award for 2003. In 2006, the Behavioral Health Services Association of South Carolina recognized Senator Hayes as the 2006 Legislator of the Year in the State Senate, and he was presented the 2006 Mental Illness Champion by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. The group Conservation Voters of South Carolina has named him one of the State Senate Conservation Champions. The Adult Education Director's Division of the SC Association of School Administrators recognized him as the Legislator of the Year for his continuous leadership and support of adult education. Most recently he was awarded the American Legion Department of South Carolina "Special Legislative Award" for 2008. He is a member of the Republican Party. |
