H*4960 Concurrent Resolution, By J. Brown, A.W. Byrd, Cotty, J.L.M. Cromer, 
Harrison, Howard, J.H. Neal, Quinn, T.F. Rogers, Scott and J.S. Shissias
 A Concurrent Resolution to express the profound sorrow of the members of the
 General Assembly of the State of South Carolina at the death of South Carolina
 ETV host and radio broadcaster Listervelt Middleton of Blythewood and
 extending deepest sympathy to the family and many friends.

   04/17/96  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-51
   04/18/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-7

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT THE DEATH OF SOUTH CAROLINA ETV HOST AND RADIO BROADCASTER LISTERVELT MIDDLETON OF BLYTHEWOOD AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, Listervelt Middleton died on Sunday, April 14, 1996, at the age of forty-five; and

Whereas, it was with great sadness that we received the news of this talented man's death. He had been fighting bone marrow cancer for some time; and

Whereas, Mr. Middleton is survived by his wife, Ernestine Middleton, and two children, Bakari and Zakiya; and

Whereas, Listervelt Middleton was a native of Pineville, South Carolina, and graduated from Benedict College; and

Whereas, as Listervelt Middleton saw it, his mission in life was to educate African-Americans about their history and their contributions to society; and

Whereas, since 1977, he hosted the South Carolina ETV weekly series "For The People" that offered a historical focus on African-American life; and

Whereas, Listervelt Middleton used the show as a platform for numerous scholars -- experts in African history, anthropology, archaeology, and psychology; and

Whereas, over the years, "For The People" aired in markets such as Detroit, Memphis, Oakland, California, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Washington, Atlanta, and Virginia; and

Whereas, it also aired in Barbados. In 1991, he was invited to that West Indies British Commonwealth nation to serve as an advisor to Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation; and

Whereas, when he wasn't involved with "For The People", Listervelt Middleton served as news director of radio station WOIC; and

Whereas, he also found time to write three books of poetry: "fatback and caviar", "We be Creosote People", and "Southern Winds, African Breezes; and

Whereas, Listervelt Middleton was an outstanding individual who was greatly respected and admired by all who knew him; and

Whereas, he had a great impact on many individuals and always strived to raise the awareness level about Africans and African-Americans' many contributions to society; and

Whereas, Mr. Middleton was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 1992 and was one of twelve South Carolinians chosen to be featured in Southern Bell's 1993 African-American History Calendar; and

Whereas, we want the members of his family and many friends to know that they are uppermost in our thoughts and prayers. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express appreciation for Listervelt Middleton's life and his contributions to Richland County and the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his wife, Ernestine Middleton.