A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor cecil J. Williams for his extraordinary contributions to Civil rights history, photography, journalism, and the preservation of african american heritage. 

 

Whereas, Cecil J. Williams, a native of Orangeburg, overcame the barriers of segregation to become one of the nation's most distinguished photographers and historians of the Civil Rights Movement; and

 

Whereas, for more than sixty years, he has documented the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality, creating a collection of more than one million photographs that represents the largest visual archive of racial change in America; and

 

Whereas, in 1960, while visiting New York City, Mr. Williams met Senator John F. Kennedy, who intervened when hotel security attempted to remove him from a press event because of his race, leading to a friendship that afforded the young journalist unique opportunities to document history. Kennedy became one of his most photographed subjects; and

 

Whereas, his work has been featured in hundreds of publications, more than one hundred solo exhibitions, and numerous documentary and motion picture productions; and  

 

Whereas, as a photojournalist for JET Magazine, he documented pivotal events and leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including the integration of Clemson University by Harvey Gantt, the Orangeburg Massacre, Edwards v. South Carolina, and the Charleston Hospital Workers' Strike; and

 

Whereas, his lifelong commitment to preserving history led to the founding of the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum in Orangeburg, the first and only museum of its kind in South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, his achievements have been recognized through more than two hundred awards and honors, including the Governor's Award in the Humanities, the Order of the Palmetto, and designation as The Times and Democrat's 2018 Person of the Year; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Williams is a devoted husband to Barbara J. Williams, retired educator and president of the Orangeburg NAACP; and  

 

Whereas, throughout his life and career, Cecil J. Williams has consistently transformed adversity into inspiration, using his talents to advance understanding, preserve history, and promote freedom, justice, and equality for all people. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Cecil J. Williams for his extraordinary contributions to civil rights history, photography, journalism, and the preservation of African American heritage.  

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Cecil J. Williams.

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