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TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF BARTLETTE STREET IN THE CITY OF SUMTER FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH WASHINGTON STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH GUIGNARD DRIVE "JAMES T. McCAIN MEMORIAL STREET" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.
Whereas, James T. McCain was born on March 8, 1905, in Sumter, South Carolina, and departed this earthly life on June 5, 2003; and
Whereas; he attended elementary and secondary schools and proved himself to be a bright student with determination; and
Whereas, Mr. McCain graduated from Morris College in Sumter and while struggling against the obstacles faced by black Americans at that time, earned his Master's Degree in education from Temple University in 1940; and
Whereas, James T. McCain was a driving force in improving education for black students having worked as a teacher, principal, college professor, registrar, and college dean; his efforts were recognized in 1952 when the Negro Educational Review declared him runner-up in a nationwide Classroom Teacher-of-the-Year project; and
Whereas, James T. McCain was widely known for his contribution to the struggle for full citizenship, human dignity, and civil rights for black Americans; during the 1960s, he helped lead the nonviolent "sit-ins", "freedom rides", and marches that pushed the American Civil Rights movement forward; and
Whereas, in later years James T. McCain continued to fight for racial justice while serving in the positions of field secretary and director of the Organization for the Congress of Racial Equality, a group committed to elevating the economic and social status of minorities; and
Whereas, Mr. McCain continued his academic pursuits throughout his life, having contributed numerous volumes and manuscripts on the Civil Rights movement covering the period from 1957 to 1971 to the South Caroliniana Library, and he was inducted into the University of South Caroliniana Society; and
Whereas, James McCain, in his efforts to improve the condition of his fellow man, gave of his time and talents to a variety of civic organizations including the South Carolina Council on Human Relations, the Boy Scouts of America, the Palmetto Education Association, the Sumter County Council on Aging, and the Governor's Council on Human Affairs for South Carolina; and
Whereas, Mr. McCain was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year for South Carolina and in 1992 was awarded the Order of the Palmetto; and
Whereas, James McCain was married to the former Ida M. Chennault, and they reared three outstanding children; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper for the Department of Transportation to pay tribute to the life and legacy of this great educator and humanitarian by naming a street in his honor in the City of Sumter. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name the portion of Bartlette Street in the City of Sumter from its intersection with Washington Street to its intersection with Guignard Drive "James T. McCain Memorial Street" and erect appropriate markers or signs containing this designation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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