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TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 26 AND SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 121 INTERCHANGE IN NEWBERRY COUNTY AS THE "U. S. MARSHAL ISRAEL BROOKS, JR. MEMORIAL INTERCHANGE" IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY ACHIEVEMENTS ATTAINED DURING HIS ILLUSTRIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER, AND TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
Whereas, Israel Brooks, Jr., a native of Newberry County, served his State and nation with great distinction in law enforcement; and
Whereas, he was born June 30, 1944, graduated from Newberry's Gallman High School in 1962, and promptly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four and one-half years until honorably discharged as sergeant in 1966; and
Whereas, in 1967, Israel Brooks became the first African-American to serve as a state trooper on the South Carolina Highway Patrol; and
Whereas, he also became the first African-American promoted to a supervisory rank within the South Carolina Highway Patrol, in that he was quickly promoted through the ranks to corporal, then sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and major, and thereby became second in command, in charge of the highway patrol's administrative and support functions; and
Whereas, in 1994, upon recommendation of United States Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Israel Brooks was appointed by President Bill Clinton as United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina and served in this very important position until his retirement in November of 2002; and
Whereas, in addition to his long and rewarding career of public service in law enforcement, he also was a highly respected civic and community leader and role model, devoting considerable time and effort in guest lectures at numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, and institutions of higher learning throughout South Carolina; and
Whereas, Israel Brooks died September 7, 2007, at Lexington Medical Center following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Errol; three daughters, Miriam, Nadine, and Tiffini; and nine grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at Saint John Baptist Church, Columbia; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper that the Interstate Highway 26 and South Carolina Highway 121 interchange in Newberry County be named the "U.S. Marshal Israel Brooks, Jr. Memorial Interchange" in recognition of the many achievements of Israel Brooks, Jr. attained during his illustrious law enforcement career. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly request the Department of Transportation to name the Interstate Highway 26 and South Carolina Highway 121 interchange in Newberry County as the "U. S. Marshal Israel Brooks, Jr. Memorial Interchange" and to erect appropriate signs or markers reflecting this designation.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Barbara Gallman Brooks and to the Department of Transportation.
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