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S. 1327
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Williams
Document Path: l:\s-res\kmw\010jame.mrh.doc
Introduced in the Senate on April 11, 2006
Adopted by the Senate on April 11, 2006
Summary: James A. Blake, Sr.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4/11/2006 Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-4
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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
EXPRESSING THE SINCERE SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE AT THE PASSING OF MR. JAMES A. BLAKE, SR. OF MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA, HONORING HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Whereas, James A. Blake, Sr. is the fourth child of the late Frank Blake, Sr. and Willie Mae Montgomery Blake, born in Marion, South Carolina on August 2, 1930; and
Whereas, he began his literary studies graduating valedictorian from Marion County Training School in 1947, and continued earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Allen University in 1951, took classes at San Jose State College, worked on his graduate degree at North Carolina Central and received his Master of Science degree from South Carolina State in 1961, and did additional work at George Peabody College, Florida State University, and the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, he served in the United States Air Force for four years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was an Air Force instructor and received recognition as Instructor of the Month and Airman of the Quarter; and
Whereas, upon his discharge from the service in 1955, Mr. Blake began his public school teaching at Finkles High School in Loris, South Carolina as a teacher of chemistry and mathematics; and
Whereas, in 1957, he moved to Marion and taught college preparatory mathematics and served as chairman of the Mathematics department at Johnakin High School, and then as a math teacher at Marion High School until 1974; and
Whereas, in 1975, he became associate principal and then assistant Superintendent and Mathematics Supervisor for Marion School District One where he remained until his retirement in 1988; and
Whereas, in 1970, Mr. Blake was appointed to the South Carolina State Board of Education, being the first African American appointed to that position in South Carolina. He served on the board for six years, becoming the first African American chairman in 1974; and
Whereas, Mr. Blake was active in numerous professional organizations including President of the Association of South Carolina Mathematics Teachers, President of Marion School District One Association of Classroom Teachers, member of the National Association of State Boards of Education, member of the South Carolina Advisory Committee on Drug Education, member of the Lieutenant Governor's Task Force to Study Minimal Competency in the Basic Skills, and Marion School District One Adult Education Coordinator; and
Whereas, he was equally involved in the community. Mr. Blake was a founder of Colonial State Bank, presently First Citizen Bank of Marion, Committeeman of the Boy Scouts of America, Chairman of the Housing Authority of Marion Board of Commissioners, on the Steward Board of St. John A.M.E. Church, past board member of the United Way, past President of the Marion County Division of the American Heart Association, past President of Swamp Fox Chapter #3894, member of the Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, and was the first African American President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, Mr. Blake has received copious honors for his dedication to the community and to education. He received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Allen University. He was the first to have bestowed upon him the coveted Marion Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. He also received the Martin Luther King Award of Excellence in Education, the American Heart Association Inclusiveness Award for Outstanding Service in the Development and Delivery of Programs Reaching Diverse and Underrepresented Segments of the population. Also, the street Blake Circle, in Marion, is named and dedicated to his honor; and
Whereas, he is survived by his wife, Rita E. Bridgewater; five children, Karen, James, Jr., Albert, William, and Kevin; and two grandchildren, James A. Blake, III, and Preston Tyler Blake. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, express its sincere sorrow of the passing of James A. Blake, Sr., honor his many accomplishments, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Rita Blake.
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