H*4397 Concurrent Resolution, By Govan, Cobb-Hunter, J.G. Felder, Sharpe and 
Stuart
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF
 THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STERLING J. DOWLING OF
 ORANGEBURG-WILKERSON HIGH SCHOOL UPON BEING CHOSEN AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE 1997
 AMERICAN LEGION PALMETTO BOYS' STATE AND TO FURTHER HONOR THIS OUTSTANDING
 YOUNG MAN ON ATTAINING THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
 1997 AMERICAN LEGION BOYS' NATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

   01/13/98  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-58
   01/15/98  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-42

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STERLING J. DOWLING OF ORANGEBURG-WILKINSON HIGH SCHOOL UPON BEING CHOSEN AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE 1997 AMERICAN LEGION PALMETTO BOYS' STATE AND TO FURTHER HONOR THIS OUTSTANDING YOUNG MAN ON ATTAINING THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE 1997 AMERICAN LEGION BOYS' NATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are proud of Sterling J. Dowling, a rising senior at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, on reaching another milestone in his young and bright future by being elected Governor of the 1997 American Legion Palmetto Boys' State; and

Whereas, Boys' State participants are chosen by their local post of the American Legion, which sponsors the program at both the state and national levels. To meet all the requirements of an ideal Boys' State delegate, one must possess character, leadership and scholarship qualities, and all-around worthiness; and

Whereas, this year's Palmetto Boys' State brought more than seven hundred fifty rising high school seniors together at Wofford College to organize their own political parties and governments; and

Whereas, the competition for Governor of this prestigious organization began within Sterling Dowling's political party, the "Nationalists", where he was nominated and ran against twenty-two others; and

Whereas, it has been thirty years since an Orangeburg delegate was elected Governor of the Palmetto Boys' State; and

Whereas, by popular vote, the candidates were narrowed down to two, a primary was held, and Sterling won, which meant at the joint political rally he would be facing the "Federalist" party for the final showdown; and

Whereas, prior to the last vote, his speech dealt with unity, improved education, with the delegates of Boys' State going out and becoming men, and not being content with the maze of mediocrity. His speech had an impact on those who voted and Sterling Dowling was unanimously elected Governor of the 1997 Palmetto Boys' State; and

Whereas, Orangeburg's own Sterling Dowling, after a culmination of seventeen years of hard work and determination, achieved an even higher honor in Washington, D.C., by his ultimate election as President of the 1997 American Legion Boys' Nation; and

Whereas, he is the son of Jeffrey and Bessie Dowling of Orangeburg;

and has a nineteen-year-old brother, Steven; and a twelve-year-old sister, Shandrea; and

Whereas, Sterling has shown extraordinary drive and determination in his schooling and community involvement including: Student Body Parliamentarian, Varsity Debate Captain, Academic Quiz Bowl Captain, Corps Commander AFJROTC, Mock Trial Team, Youth in Government, Student Advisory Board, Youth of Allen Development Program Mentor, Palmetto Project Operation HOPE for Race Relations, OCAB HIV/AIDS Peer Educator, Orangeburg-Calhoun Adult Literacy Council Certified Tutor, and Young People's Division President at Williams Chapel AME Church; and

Whereas, after graduating from high school, he plans to continue his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta or at the United States Air Force Academy earning an undergraduate degree in English. Following his undergraduate studies, he intends to seek a degree at the North Carolina Central School of Law; and

Whereas, through this young man's dynamic motivation and commitment, he has been an inspiration to others by not placing limits on one's capabilities to succeed in life, prosper, and make meaningful contributions to society; and

Whereas, Sterling Dowling has not only brought great pride to his family, faculty and students of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, and community but to the citizens of the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations to proudly claim Sterling Dowling as one of South Carolina's own and to publicly recognize this exemplary young man whose achievements have merited the highest respect of all who know him. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Sterling J. Dowling of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School upon being chosen as the Governor of the 1997 American Legion Palmetto Boys' State and to further honor this outstanding young man on attaining the ultimate goal of being elected President of the 1997 American Legion Boys' Nation in Washington, D.C.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Sterling J. Dowling and to Ms. Thomasenia Benson, Principal of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.