S*1559 Session 109 (1991-1992)
S*1559 Concurrent Resolution, By Land
A Concurrent Resolution to express the deepest sympathy of the members of the
General Assembly to the family and many friends and admirers of Mr. Billie S.
Fleming of Manning who died Friday, May 8, 1992.
05/19/92 Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-10
05/20/92 House Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY
FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS OF MR. BILLIE S. FLEMING OF
MANNING WHO DIED FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992.
Whereas, Mr. Billie S. Fleming of Manning died Friday, May 8, 1992;
and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming was a dedicated family man and his life was
dedicated to service to his community, his State, and his fellowman; and
Whereas, as the nation's longest-standing branch president of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),
civil rights leaders across the nation mourned his passing; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming was president of the Manning branch of the
NAACP for thirty-three years; and
Whereas, Dr. William F. Gibson, the state's NAACP president and
chairman of the organization's national board of directors said:
"The NAACP has lost a long-time warrior for the causes of
freedom, justice, and equality. He put his life, his family, and his
reputation on the line when that was not a popular thing to do. He was
an institution in the organization, and he will be greatly missed";
and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming fought a life-long battle to improve race relations
in Clarendon County registering voters, supporting black businesses, and
fighting for single-member district representation on Manning's city
council; and
Whereas, a graduate of South Carolina State College and an Omega Psi
Phi fraternity member, was president of Fleming and Delaine Funeral
Home of Manning and Fleming Insurance; and
Whereas, he also was chairman of the Wateree Community Action
Board of Directors and a member of the Clarendon School District 2
Board of Trustees. He was a former state highway commissioner and
member of the South Carolina Development Board; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming was active in the Clarendon County political
process maintaining close ties with county, state, and national leaders;
and
Whereas, his civil rights struggle began in the 1950's. Mr. Fleming
testified before several congressional committees promoting civil rights
for everyone; and
Whereas, five years after Mr. Fleming testified before the United States
Senate, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 allowed blacks to dare to register to vote; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming helped organize the Clarendon County
Improvement Association designed to provide loans, goods, and services
denied by white-owned businesses. The association bought goods from
outside of the county and stocked the shelves of black-owned
businesses; and
Whereas, in 1974 Mr. Fleming and Manning's NAACP founded the
Santee-Wateree Expo to help celebrate the black youth of Clarendon
County. The annual program brought national black figures and role
models to Manning as speakers and honored a black South Carolinian
as "Man of the Year". April 26, 1992, Fleming presided
over his last expo, honoring Columbia native and astronaut Col. Charles
Bolden; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming also recognized the role of women. The Manning
branch began honoring a "Woman of the Year" due to the
encouragement of Mr. Fleming; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming was to be recognized by the General Assembly
in a joint session May 27, 1992, for his long-time work with the
NAACP; and
Whereas, one of Mr. Fleming's sons, Bobby, speaks for all who knew his
Father: "He was my model as a community leader and a civil
rights leader. I would ask everyone to pray for us and remember him for
what he was and what he stood for."; and
Whereas, Mr. Fleming is survived also by his wife, Marjorie Robinson,
and another son Billie. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly express their deepest
sympathy to the family and many friends and admirers of Mr. Billie S.
Fleming of Manning who died Friday, May 8, 1992.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
Fleming family.
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