A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE BARBARA JEAN "BJ" MORRIS WILLIAMS UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RECENT RETIREMENT AS CLERK OF COURT FOR THE BATESBURG-LEESVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT, TO COMMEND HER FOR MORE THAN FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the South Carolina House of Representatives should pause in its deliberations to express its gratitude to Barbara Jean "BJ" Morris Williams for her outstanding contributions to the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court; and

Whereas, on August 17, 1979, BJ Morris Williams began her service with the Town of Batesburg-Leesville as a police dispatcher and detention officer/jailer for the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department. In 1992, she was selected to serve as assistant clerk of court for the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court while continuing to serve as a police dispatcher and detention officer/jailer for the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department; and

Whereas, carrying on in her climb up the ladder, Mrs. Morris Williams was appointed clerk of court for the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court on January 1, 1997; and

Whereas, she also has served as a victim advocate for the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department for many years; and

Whereas, furthermore, BJ Morris Williams owns the distinction of serving as the first Black police dispatcher and detention officer/jailer for the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department and the first Black clerk of court for the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court; and

Whereas, born and raised in the Batesburg-Leesville area, Mrs. Morris Williams finds her strongest support in her husband, Jacob, with whom she resides in her hometown area; and

Whereas, on January 1, 2024, Barbara Jean "BJ" Morris Williams retired from her position with the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court, and she is looking forward to the wonderful adventures that await in this new chapter of her life; and

Whereas, grateful for the commitment and excellence Mrs. Morris Williams has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina, the House extends to her best wishes for a contented retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Barbara Jean "BJ" Morris Williams upon the occasion of her recent retirement as clerk of court for the Batesburg-Leesville Municipal Court, commend her for more than forty-four years of dedicated service, and wish her much continued success and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Barbara Jean "BJ" Morris Williams.

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