Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
S. 749
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Matthews
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gm\24393zw15.docx
Introduced in the Senate on May 5, 2015
Adopted by the Senate on May 5, 2015
Summary: James White, Sr.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/5/2015 Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 5)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JAMES WHITE, SR., FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, FOR HIS ADVOCACY FOR JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS, AND FOR HIS MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PALMETTO STATE.
Whereas, it is with distinct pleasure that the members of the South Carolina Senate commend the life of James White, Sr., who is affectionately known as "Much White"; and
Whereas, born to the late Samuel "Ticky" and Estell Johnson White into humble beginnings in Holly Hill on July 8, 1919, James White had a childhood filled with planting and plowing produce for the farmers' market, caring for livestock, and long, hard labor in cotton and sugar cane fields with his siblings to help his family; and
Whereas, his parents lived out their faith which they passed on to James, teaching him the value of the Golden Rule, "to do unto others, as you would have them to do unto you," but Mr. White's formal education took place in the Rock Hill and Mount Olive elementary schools in Vance and Providence. Although he matriculated into the seventh grade, conditions of life forced him to leave to help his father care for the pressing needs of the family; and
Whereas, a devout Christian and true soldier for the Lord, he joined Rock Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age. His pastor recognized Christ as the center of James' life and appointed him as Class Leader, a post he held for almost seventy years; and
Whereas, knowing a house is made of walls and beams and a home is made of love and dreams, James White married the love of his life, the late Lula Bell Gaines, on August 16, 1941. In covenant partnership, they reared six wonderful children, who blessed their parents with nineteen adoring grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, having mastered farming and truck farming in his youth, James White became a licensed and skillful barber and plumber. As an expert hunter and fisherman he was able to provide for his family. In 1963, he established "Much White's Place," a popular social club and restaurant which he maintained for many years; and
Whereas, a generous contributor to and lifetime supporter of the NAACP, Mr. White witnessed injustice and discrimination during the troubled years of the 1960s, a time of crisis in America and of growing tension and unrest in the State and in his own community; and
Whereas, highly motivated to promote the Civil Rights Movement after meeting the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during his visit to Florence, Mr. White became a volunteer poll worker for his precinct through the county Voter Registration Office and an active member of the Concerned Citizens' Organization in his community; and
Whereas, with the late Councilman James Glover and the now Senator John Matthews, he was actively involved in the Orangeburg County/Vance Community Association, serving as its treasurer; and
Whereas, he is 3rd degree Mason in the Eutawville Masonic Lodge #402 where he mentors young men. He was treasurer of the Power Bay Hunting Club for more than fifty years and served the Clemson Extension Conservation Project under the late Albert Williams; and
Whereas, recognized as the Father of his home church, he counsels young and old alike concerning God's amazing grace, praising God daily for all His blessings. Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," and Philippians 4: 13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," are his daily meditations; and
Whereas, despite limitations due to his age of ninety-five, Mr. White reads the Times and Democrat newspaper daily from cover to cover, and if the news is good, he reads it again. He relishes visits with family and friends, and during hunting season, he enjoys sitting around with his longtime cronies at the clubhouse. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor James White, Sr., for his outstanding service to the community, for his advocacy for justice and civil rights, and for his meaningful contributions to the Palmetto State.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to James White, Sr.
This web page was last updated on May 12, 2015 at 1:42 PM