S*1420 Concurrent Resolution, By Hutto and Matthews
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF REVEREND JAMES
 HICKS GLOVER, JR., FOR DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATIONS AND
 FOR THE SACRIFICES HE MADE AS A MONTFORD POINT MARINE SO THAT OTHER AFRICAN
 AMERICANS COULD SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

   05/05/10  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-5
   05/06/10  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-15

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE MEMORY OF REVEREND JAMES HICKS GLOVER, JR., FOR DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HIS CONGREGATIONS AND FOR THE SACRIFICES HE MADE AS A MONTFORD POINT MARINE SO THAT OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS COULD SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of native son, Reverend James Hicks Glover, Jr., War World II hero, a soldier for civil rights in our nation, and a devoted man of faith; and

Whereas, born in Eutawville on August 16, 1916, he married his beloved Lillian, and together they reared five fine children who blessed them with fourteen adoring grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, James Glover attended public schools in Orangeburg and completed further study at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and Benedict College in Columbia; and

Whereas, as part of a World War II initiative to enlist African Americans in the Armed Forces, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was among the first African Americans allowed in the marines since shortly after the Revolutionary War; and

Whereas, having enlisted in 1942, he and other African American recruits became known as the "Montford Point Marines", named for a remote area of what is now Camp LeJeune in North Carolina where they received basic training in a dilapidated, segregated camp with deplorable living conditions; and

Whereas, following basic training, James Glover was assigned to the 27th Marine Depot Company, one of the 65 African American Marine Corps units. He had the dangerous job of supplying the frontline with food and ammunition and removing the dead and wounded from the battlefield, often under heavy enemy fire; and

Whereas, while serving his country, Mr. Glover, along with his fellow Montford Point Marines, battled both the enemy and racism, compiling a record of honor and distinction that led to the changes that today reflect their historic role in breaking down the barriers of segregation to create an environment of unity, and

Whereas, he served his God from an early age with no less enthusiasm than he served his country and accepted a call to pastor Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Orangeburg for twenty-six years were he ably shepherded his people; and

Whereas, following the rich legacy of his father and grandfather, he was appointed pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Eutawville, where he served twenty-nine years, bringing leadership and growth to both his congregations; and

Whereas, until his death on February 6, 2010, at the age of ninety-three, the Reverend Glover was the oldest known Montford Marine living and was recognized and honored on many occasions by the Columbia Marine Corps Association; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are deeply grateful for the enduring legacy of this fine son of the Palmetto State, whose life has enriched so many. 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, recognize and honor the memory of Reverend James Hicks Glover, Jr., for decades of dedicated service to his congregations and for the sacrifices he made as a Montford Point Marine so that other African Americans could serve in the United States Marine Corps.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Reverend James Hicks Glover, Jr.