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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MARQUETTA L. "QUEEN QUET" GOODWINE, AUTHOR, LECTURER, HISTORIAN, AND CHIEFTESS OF THE GULLAH/GEECHEE NATION.
Whereas, Marquetta L. "Queen Quet" Goodwine, acknowledged representative of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, has distinguished herself as published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, and preservationist; and
Whereas, as she grew up on St. Helena Island in Beaufort, part of Sea Island Gullah/Geechee territory that stretches from North Carolina south to Amelia Island, Florida, she learned the art of transmitting stories and folklore from the elders of her family, and she has made it her mission to teach and pass on the traditions of the Gullah/Geechee people; and
Whereas, this passion is driven by her firm belief in an old Gullah expression, "Hunnuh ain gwine kno wey hunnuh duh gwine ef hunnuh ain know wey hunnuh dey frum," or, loosely translated, "You won't know where you are going if you do not know where you are from"; and
Whereas, Queen Quet teaches that she and her people will "have no community if we do not have our land, our family, our songs, our arts, our crafts, our skills, and most of all, our connection to the Creator"; and
Whereas, partly in response to her work, the United States Congress passed the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act, and in October 2007, the White House officially vetted her to serve as a commissioner for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which sits within the Gullah/Geechee Nation. This honor is only one among many Queen Quet has received; and
Whereas, grateful for what she has accomplished, the Senate extends its profound gratitude to Queen Quet for her invaluable labors in preserving and perpetuating a vital, fascinating part of the Palmetto State's cultural heritage, and the members wish her much success in all her future endeavors. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution,
recognize and honor Marquetta L. "Queen Quet" Goodwine, author, lecturer, historian, and chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Queen Quet.
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