S*1201 Resolution, By Washington, Ford, Glover, Jackson, T.W. Mitchell, 
Patterson and J.V. Smith
 A Senate Resolution to proclaim the week of February 22 through February 28,
 1994, "African-American Family Heritage Week" in the State of South Carolina
 in observance of the importance of the family unit to our community, the
 contributions of the African-American extended family, the value of and
 appreciation for the cultural diversity of our society, and the legacy of high
 achievement and commitment to educational excellence.

   02/17/94  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-6

A SENATE RESOLUTION

TO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 1994, "AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY HERITAGE WEEK" IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN OBSERVANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY UNIT TO OUR COMMUNITY, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXTENDED FAMILY, THE VALUE OF AND APPRECIATION FOR THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF OUR SOCIETY, AND THE LEGACY OF HIGH ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE.

Whereas, South Carolina is comprised of many people of diverse beliefs, cultures, heritages, and races; and

Whereas, the people of South Carolina deeply appreciate and strongly value the diverse cultural contributions that all people make to our overall society and recognize that our diversity is our strength when all people are provided an opportunity to make their unique positive contributions to the betterment of our society as a whole; and

Whereas, the people of South Carolina recognize that the family is the most important unit that serves to create, preserve, and promote a cohesive community that values diversity, maintains a strong commitment to top quality education, strives for high achievement, and respects the rights and property of all people; and

Whereas, the historical contributions of the African-American extended family in South Carolina has its roots in the very beginning of our State itself; and

Whereas, the values of belief in God, appreciation for diversity, commitment to excellence in education, high achievement, and respect for the rights and property of all people which are shared by the African-American extended family are consistent with the values that are shared by all people of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a major religious institution in the South Carolina community that has contributed civic, educational, moral, and religious leadership for all people for well over two centuries; and

Whereas, the Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church of Green Pond, South Carolina, has contributed leadership and has served the community for over one hundred and eleven years, and under the leadership of its pastor, the Reverend William Doyle, has initiated an annual week-long observance of African-American family heritage and has initiated this annual Black Family Heritage Dinner to raise funds for scholarships and ongoing community programs that will be for the benefit of all people in our society; and

Whereas, Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church of Green Pond, South Carolina, is to be commended for its past achievements and supported in all of its future efforts to serve the people of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, proclaims the week of February 22 through February 28, 1994, "African-American Family Heritage Week" in the State of South Carolina in observance of the importance of the family unit to our community, the contributions of the African-American extended family, the value of and appreciation for the cultural diversity of our society, and the legacy of high achievement and commitment to educational excellence.

Be it further resolved that the last week of February is to be observed as "African-American Family Heritage Week" henceforth.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Reverend William Doyle, Pastor, Mt. Olive AME Church, Green Pond, South Carolina, and to Henry Givens, Chairperson of the Black Family Heritage Dinner, 101 Spike Point Court, Goose Creek, South Carolina 29445.