H*4036 Concurrent Resolution, By G. Brown
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND BILL PINKNEY, A NATIVE OF DALZELL WHO NOW
 LIVES IN SUMTER, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL FORTY-SIX YEAR MUSICAL AND
 ENTERTAINMENT CAREER AS A VOCAL ARTIST AND AS THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE ORIGINAL
 "DRIFTERS".

   05/05/99  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-10
   05/06/99  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-7

TO COMMEND BILL PINKNEY, A NATIVE OF DALZELL WHO NOW LIVES IN SUMTER, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL FORTY-SIX YEAR MUSICAL AND ENTERTAINMENT CAREER AS A VOCAL ARTIST AND AS THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE ORIGINAL "DRIFTERS".

Whereas, Bill Pinkney is a native son of South Carolina, born in Dalzell, and now living in Sumter; and

Whereas, he volunteered for the United States Army at age seventeen and took part in the Normandy Invasion, fighting his way across Europe, earning four Bronze Stars and a Presidential Citation; and

Whereas, after the war, Bill Pinkney became an outstanding player with the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League; and

Whereas, while in New York, Bill Pinkney and others, including renowned South Carolina vocal artist the late Brook Benton, first formed and performed as "The Southern Knights" gospel quartet; and

Whereas, shortly thereafter, he met and became friends with well-known vocalist, the late Clyde McPhatter, and together they founded "The Drifters" vocal group; and

Whereas, "The Drifters", beginning with the song "Money Honey" on the Atlantic label in 1953 became one of the most beloved, durable, prolific, and popular rhythm and blues groups the world has ever known; and

Whereas, even today almost forty-six years later, Bill Pinkney, as leader of "Bill Pinkney and the Original Drifters", continues to entertain, enthrall, and delight audiences and fans, and as such, continues as an outstanding ambassador of good will from the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, his music has been and continues to be a positive force for bringing together people of diverse background, race, religion, sex, and age; and

Whereas, Bill Pinkney has never lost or forsaken his deep roots, embracing love of God and love of country, and regularly includes gospel and patriotic selections in his performances; and

Whereas, he has been awarded "The Order of the Palmetto", the highest civilian award bestowed by the State of South Carolina, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, a public park in Dalzell has been developed and named in his honor; and

Whereas, this year, Bill Pinkney is celebrating the forty-sixth anniversary of the founding of "The Drifters"; and

Whereas, he has led an exemplary life of dedication as a soldier patriot, gospel vocalist, athlete, and popular music superstar and legend; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to honor this extraordinary American and South Carolinian for his truly exemplary career which has touched the lives of countless individuals throughout the world. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, commend Bill Pinkney, a native of Dalzell who now lives in Sumter, for his extraordinarily successful forty-six year musical and entertainment career as a vocal artist and as the co-founder of the original "Drifters".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Bill Pinkney.