Bill 1559

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               Senate
Bill Number:                    1559
Primary Sponsor:                Land
Type of Legislation:            CR
Subject:                        Fleming, Mr. Billie S.
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   May 20, 1992
Computer Document Number:       NO5/8619.BD
Introduced Date:                May 19, 1992
Last History Body:              Senate
Last History Date:              May 20, 1992
Last History Type:              Received from House
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   Land
Type of Legislation:            Concurrent
                                Resolution

 Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN
 ----  ------  ------------  ------------------------------  ---
 1559  Senate  May 20, 1992  Received from House
 1559  House   May 20, 1992  Introduced, adopted, returned
                             with concurrence
 1559  Senate  May 19, 1992  Introduced, adopted, sent to
                             House

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.