S*1285 Concurrent Resolution, By Anderson, Fair, Thomas and Vaughn
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME
 THE PORTION OF UNIVERSITY RIDGE IN THE CITY OF GREENVILLE FROM ITS
 INTERSECTION WITH CLEVELAND STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH CHURCH STREET
 "WILFRED J. WALKER STREET" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS
 STREET THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "WILFRED J. WALKER STREET".

   04/10/08  Senate Introduced, placed on calendar without reference SJ-5
   04/11/08         Scrivener's error corrected
   04/15/08  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-20
   04/16/08  House  Introduced HJ-7
   04/16/08  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-7
   04/22/08  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-3
   04/23/08  House  Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-69
   04/23/08         Scrivener's error corrected

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 22, 2008

S. 1285

S. Printed 4/22/08--H.    [SEC 4/23/08 8:07 PM]

Read the first time April 15, 2008.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1285) to request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of University Ridge in the City of Greenville from its intersection with Cleveland Street to its intersection, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNIVERSITY RIDGE IN THE CITY OF GREENVILLE FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH CLEVELAND STREET TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH CHURCH STREET "WILFRED J. WALKER STREET" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS STREET THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "WILFRED J. WALKER STREET".

Whereas, Mr. Wilfred Junius Walker was born in Manning on August 9, 1912, the fifth of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Walker; and

Whereas, he was a high school valedictorian who received a scholarship to Hampton Institute and received his undergraduate degree in 1935. During that year, he conducted the Hampton Trade School Singers when they performed for President and Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and

Whereas, after marrying his college sweetheart, Edris Jackson, he settled in Greenville where the loving couple raised two vibrant children, Delores Edris and Wilfred, Jr., who distinguished themselves in the fields of education and engineering; and

Whereas, for forty years, Mr. Walker taught masonry, plastering, English, mathematics, and drafting in the Greenville County School District and was instrumental in improving industrial trade standards in the state's public schools; and

Whereas, his students consistently won recognition for their high quality work. Many of his students contributed in the construction of many structures, including Greenville's Peace Center for Performing Arts. Mr. Walker also directed Sterling High School's Male Glee Club for twenty-two years; and

Whereas, Mr. Walker gained fame and became known as the "Ole Sportscaster" when he became the radio commentator for Sterling High School's Tigers football games. He also became a local celebrity in Greenville with his music show "Wilfred Walker's Variety Time" and was a popular announcer for WFBC. When WESC began broadcasting football games from Sirrine Stadium in 1948, Mr. Walker became the first African American radio sportscaster in this State. In 1990, the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum Broadcasting Archives recognized Mr. Walker as a pioneer in African American broadcasting; and

Whereas, he has received many honors and awards during his life which include the Allen Temple A.M. E. Church Man-of-the-Year Award, the Sterling High School Distinguished Service Award, induction into both the Piedmont Athletics Association Hall of Fame and the Sterling High School Hall of Fame, and being featured in the 1993 Southern Bell South Carolina African American History Calendar; and

Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the General Assembly to pause in its deliberations to forever recognize the many contributions that this distinguished son of South Carolina has made to this State and nation by naming a portion of University Ridge in the City of Greenville in his honor. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly request that the Department of Transportation name the portion of University Ridge in the City of Greenville from its intersection with Cleveland Street to its intersection with Church Street "Wilfred J. Walker Street" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway that contain the words "Wilfred J. Walker Street".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.