H 5768

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5768
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR GLORIA RICKENBACKER-HUTTO OF
ORANGEBURG, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE RICKENBACKER XCEL FOUNDATION, FOR HER
MANY YEARS OF TIRELESS SERVICE RAISING FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH.
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to salute the founder and
president of the Rickenbacker Xcel Foundation, Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto, who
has dedicated many years to the worthy goal of raising funds for Alzheimer's
research; and
Whereas, the
Rickenbacker Xcel Foundation hosts an annual black-tie gala for the benefit of
Alzheimer's research. In December 1996, Gloria, daughter of the late Saul
Rickenbacker Sr., joined with other family members to inaugurate the gala. The
event first opened at the Kappa Kastle but quickly outgrew that building, moved
to another location, and hosted there for two decades. The organization was hosting
from its third location when Covid struck; and
Whereas, for Gloria
Rickenbacker-Hutto's founding efforts, the City of Orangeburg declared December
17 as Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto Day. During the Covid pandemic, a drive-by
celebration was held in 2021 in honor of Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto. In 2022, a
balloon release was held at Williams & Williams Law Firm and in the
following year, a candlelight vigil was held at the same location. Following
the end of Covid, the organization returned to a former location, The Premier,
for the next two years and presently hosts from the Garden Room; and
Whereas, the surviving
Rickenbacker children and grandchildren have fond memories of a loving father
and grandfather, Saul Rickenbacker Sr., who raised them to work for what they
have and to maintain independence and respect. The children eventually watched
their father sink into the abyss that is Alzheimer's and decided to take a
stand against the disease that robbed the family patriarch of his good health.
The Rickenbacker family's annual black-tie gala in support of Alzheimer's
research was inspired by Saul Rickenbacker and is held in his honor; and
Whereas, for more than
two decades, led by Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto, the Rickenbacker family has
sponsored this annual holiday gala and dinner dance to raise money for
Alzheimer's research, and the gala has brought forth thousands of dollars
supporting the project. This funding is especially important to Orangeburg, as the
city is ranked eighth nationwide in prevalence of Alzheimer's; and
Whereas, Gloria
Rickenbacker-Hutto and her family have received the Order of the Palmetto,
South Carolina's highest civilian award, for their efforts. The Rickenbackers also
have been presented with a proclamation from the City of Orangeburg and have
earned other awards throughout the years. 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 Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto of Orangeburg,
founder and president of the Rickenbacker Xcel Foundation, for her many years
of tireless service raising funds for Alzheimer's research.
Be it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Gloria Rickenbacker-Hutto.
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This web page was last updated on August 11, 2026 at 03:19 PM