S*0901 Resolution, By Scott
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH
 CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF THE REVEREND DANIEL LEE SIMMONS, SR., OF
 MOTHER EMANUEL AME CHURCH, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO
 EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   07/06/15  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 19)

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF THE REVEREND DANIEL LEE SIMMONS, SR., OF MOTHER EMANUEL AME CHURCH, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are deeply saddened by the untimely death of the Reverend Daniel Lee Simmons, Sr., of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Attacked by a gunman during a prayer meeting and Bible study at Emanuel AME, he and eight of his fellow church members were slain on June 17, 2015; and

Whereas, born July 16, 1940, the Reverend Daniel Lee Simmons, Sr., retired itinerant elder of the AME Church, was the youngest son of the late Reverend Moses Simmons, Sr., a retired itinerant elder of the same denomination, and Rosa Mae Alford Simmons of Georgetown. Reverend Simmons was raised with strong religious principles, a good education, and a driving force to help those in need; and

Whereas, he received his early education in the public schools of Marion County, graduating with honors from Palmetto High School in Mullins in 1957. Reverend Simmons continued his education at Allen University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education administration, followed by a master's degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and a master of divinity from Lutheran Seminary. He also completed two and a half years of study toward a doctor of divinity from the University of South Carolina. Heeding the call of his country, Daniel Simmons served two and a half years in the United States Army and gained extensive training in management, real estate, and social work with the federal government; and

Whereas, Reverend Simmons began his professional career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections as a teacher and counselor. He continued his career as a coach operator for the Greyhound Bus Corporation, an insurance broker for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and a vocational counselor specialist for the Veterans Administration; and

Whereas, he had an extensive record in ministry in service to several churches in the Columbia, Palmetto, and South Carolina conferences. In 2014, he retired from the ministry but continued to serve several churches in the area; and

Whereas, believing strongly in active participation in his community, Reverend Simmons held membership in several organizations, including Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Capital City Lodge No. #47, National Association of Social Workers, 100 Black Men, United Methodist Relief Family Center, Bethlehem Community Center, and Richland County School District No. 2 Advisory Board; and

Whereas, Reverend Simmons was very proud of his family, including the mother of his children, Annie Graham Simmons; his two children, Daniel, Jr. (Arcelia), and Rose Simmons; and his four grandchildren, Alana, Daniel III, Ava, and Anya Simmons; and

Whereas, knowing that Reverend Simmons would not want this body to remember him without also remembering the sorrow of the congregation, the Senate wishes to express its heartfelt grief to Mother Emanuel AME Church, one of the oldest African-American churches in the United States, in its loss of Reverend Simmons and eight other much-loved members; and

Whereas, Reverend Simmons will be remembered as a man who loved his God and served Him with all his might. He will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing and serving with him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Reverend Daniel Lee Simmons, Sr., of Mother Emanuel AME Church, celebrate his life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.