H*5276 Concurrent Resolution, By Rivers and Bowers
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MR. JAMES F. BLACK OF HAMPTON
 COUNTY FOR HIS COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS AND SINCERE DEDICATION TO ENHANCING THE
 LIVES OF THE YOUTH AND CITIZENS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS
 GREAT SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, THIS STATE, AND THE UNITED STATES.

   06/01/06  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-16
   06/01/06  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-12

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MR. JAMES F. BLACK OF HAMPTON COUNTY FOR HIS COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS AND SINCERE DEDICATION TO ENHANCING THE LIVES OF THE YOUTH AND CITIZENS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS GREAT SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY, THIS STATE, AND THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, Mr. James Black is a hard-working dedicated man and an asset to Hampton and surrounding area, who has truly earned great respect for his contributions making his community a better place to live; and

Whereas, he attended Allen Elementary School in Brunson, South Carolina, and graduated from high school at North District Training School in Varnville, South Carolina in 1966, before continuing on to accumulate several technical certificates and diplomas from various schools and seminars as well as earning a Certificate in Teaching Methods from the South Carolina State College Department of Industrial Education in 1974; and

Whereas, a proud United States citizen and veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and Desert Storm, Mr. Black has served his country with the highest honor as a soldier in the United States Army, South Carolina Army National Guard, and South Carolina Air National Guard; and

Whereas, a devoted employee of thirty-four years for the former Westinghouse Micarta Corporation, now known as Nevamar ICC Micarta, he has since gone into full time entrepreneurship as owner and operator of Black's Auto Transmission, where he has developed a training course for factory service personnel called Hands in Hands Apprentice Training to teach individuals the trade of skill-crafted mechanics; and

Whereas, following his dream to encourage and inspire the youth of the Hampton community and surrounding area, James teamed up with close friend Mr. Nathaniel "Nate" McQuire to establish the Camp Wildwood Summer Day Camp, which serves youth ages five to seventeen providing self-esteem, morale discipline, swimming classes, lifeguard certification, educational classes, and job opportunities to high school students and adults; and

Whereas, in 2001, his contributions as executive director of Camp Wildwood were recognized by Governor Jim Hodges and the South Carolina Year of the Child Committee when they named Camp Wildwood as a "community hero"; and

Whereas, active in local school affairs for many years, James has served on the General Advisory Council for Ben Hazel Primary School, which oversees individual school's spending on all school-based programs, participated in the mentor program at Wade Hampton High School, where he worked one-on-one with at-risk youth to help motivate them to complete their education, and currently serves on the Pro Hampton County Advisory Board; and

Whereas, Mr. James Black is a man with many talents and a great inspiration to all who come to know him. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Mr. James F. Black of Hampton County for his countless contributions and sincere dedication to enhancing the lives of the youth and citizens of the Lowcountry and commend him for his great service to his community, this State, and the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. James F. Black.