TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND PEARL R. BROWN, WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY TREASURER, ON HER RETIREMENT, TO EXPRESS THE THANKS OF THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOR HER MANY YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate has learned that Pearl R. Brown, having served her State with excellence for many years, will soon be retiring from her post as Williamsburg County treasurer; and
Whereas, born in Williamsburg County to Beatrice Robinson and the late James Wallace Robinson, Pearl R. Brown studied business administration at Denmark Technical College and Francis Marion College. In further preparation for her career, Mrs. Brown graduated from the South Carolina Association of Counties Institute and Leadership South Carolina; and
Whereas, in 1982, she was elected treasurer of Williamsburg County, and she has won reelection for six consecutive terms. Pearl Brown has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as a county treasurer in the Palmetto State since Reconstruction and is the first African-American female to hold a countywide elected office in Williamsburg County; and
Whereas, prior to her election as Williamsburg County treasurer, she was the first African American hired as a full-time employee with the Williamsburg County Office of the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, where she worked for fourteen years; and
Whereas, Pearl Brown has strong convictions about personal involvement with her community. Her convictions have led her to serve as the political-action chairperson of her local NAACP unit and chief financial officer for the Bethesda Community Outreach Program, a community-based program providing family assistance and a summer enrichment program for students kindergarten through junior high. She represents her community by serving on the steering committee of the Williamsburg Enterprise Community Commission. In addition, she is currently serving as president of her high school alumni committee; and
Whereas, married to Joseph Brown, Jr., she and her husband raised one son, who has given his parents the joy of three grandchildren; and
Whereas, while meeting her own duties and responsibilities, she also finds time to assist her husband with his charter bus company, Williamsburg Charters, LLC; and
Whereas, Mrs. Brown is a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church in Lake City, where she serves as chairperson of the council on ministries and is a certified lay speaker, as well as a former youth coordinator and former president of the United Methodist Women. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Good Hope Chapter #269; and
Whereas, among the many honors she has received in her career, she counts among the highlights introducing former President Bill Clinton on his visit to Kingstree; serving as a 1992 delegate to the Democratic National Convention and as a member of the 1990 South Carolina Black Caucus Reapportionment Committee; and being recognized by the South Carolina Voter Education Project in appreciation for community services, as Kingstree-Lake City Delta Tau Zeta Woman of the Year, and as NAACP Citizen of the Year. She has also served as Williamsburg County chair for the American Heart Association; and
Whereas, having earned the respect of all those who have had the privilege of working with her, Pearl Brown will be remembered with affection and gratitude by colleagues and legislative friends for years to come. The Senate trusts she will find great pleasure in the more relaxing pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend Pearl R. Brown, Williamsburg County treasurer, on her retirement, express the thanks of the people of South Carolina for her many years of committed service, and wish her much happiness in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Pearl R. Brown.