S*0347 Concurrent Resolution, By Patterson, Courson, Giese and Jackson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE ELDER AND MRS. WILLIE J. NELSON OF
 COLUMBIA UPON CELEBRATING THEIR FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON FEBRUARY 15,
 2003, AND TO WISH THEM MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS.

   02/12/03  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-4
   02/13/03  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-6

TO CONGRATULATE ELDER AND MRS. WILLIE J. NELSON OF COLUMBIA UPON CELEBRATING THEIR FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ON FEBRUARY 15, 2003, AND TO WISH THEM MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS.

Whereas, with great pride and admiration, the members of the General Assembly learn that Elder and Mrs. Willie J. Nelson of Columbia will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary on February 15, 2003, with a reaffirmation of their vows at Bethel A.M. E. Church; and

Whereas, both were born in Clarendon County, grew up on their respective family farms, and were reared by parents who believed that education is the key to improving one's way of life; and

Whereas, Mrs. Carrie Richburg Nelson is one of eleven children born to J. Haskell and Hessie Richburg near the Town of Summerton; and

Whereas, she received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Allen University in 1952 and returned to Clarendon County to begin her career as a public school teacher; and

Whereas, Elder Willie J. Nelson is one of nine children reared by Leon and Clotelle Nelson in Clarendon County; and

Whereas, in 1950 he joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers, served for two years, and received an honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant; and

Whereas, Elder Nelson earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Allen University in 1957 and his bachelor of theology degree from the Dickson Theological Seminary of Allen University in 1959; and

Whereas, both Elder and Mrs. Nelson were warriors during this state's and the nation's struggle to desegregate its public schools; and

Whereas, Elder Nelson currently serves as the presiding Elder of the Columbia District of the Columbia Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been an ordained African Methodist Episcopal Church minister for the past fifty years, having congregations in Greenville, Florence, Bishopville, and Columbia; and

Whereas, he served for twenty years as chairman of the Columbia Annual Conference Social Action Committee, and is currently a member of the Columbia Area Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the NAACP; and

Whereas, Mrs. Nelson served for many years as a teacher and supervisor in the Head Start program, and currently serves as the lead teacher at Hammond Village Head Start Center; and

Whereas, she is a life member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Women's Missionary Society, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Ministers' Wives Alliance of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and

Whereas, Elder and Mrs. Nelson are the proud parents of two daughters and have seven grandchildren; and

Whereas, the strength of their union is a true example of commitment, devotion, Christian love, faith, and endurance; and

Whereas, we honor the true meaning of marriage when we honor Elder and Mrs. Willie J. Nelson. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, congratulate Elder and Mrs. Willie J. Nelson of Columbia upon celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary on February 15, 2003, and wish them many more years of happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Elder and Mrs. Willie J. Nelson.