A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR WENDELL MAURICE MANIGAULT, JR., OF NORTH CHARLESTON FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

 

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizes those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's citizenry. Having spent many years serving others through his committed speaking and writing ministry, Wendell Maurice Manigault, Jr., of North Charleston exemplifies such South Carolinians; and

 

Whereas, the son of Paulette Marie Vanderhorst, Wendell Maurice Manigault, Sr., and Richard Vanderhorst III, Wendell was born one of four siblings and attended R.B. Stall High School in North Charleston. Today, he is a God-fearing, energetic, outgoing, family-centered, and goal-oriented man who loves listening to music, watching sports and movies, and going on social outings with his family; and

 

Whereas, back in the early 2000s, however, at the tender age of 16, he became a victim-survivor of gun violence. Shot in the left side of the neck, he was paralyzed from the neck down instantly. Years after this life-altering incident, he began service as a youth speaker who had the pleasure of presenting at local churches and community events. In addition, he and his mother became the published authors of three compelling books vital to the global gun-violence issue; and

 

Whereas, in light of this issue, Wendell considers it his God-given purpose and mission to share his testimony with our youth, a ministry about which he is deeply passionate. In so doing, whether he shares at churches, schools, juvenile facilities, or other appropriate settings, he strongly believes he will make a critical contribution to deterring our youth from making the same poor decisions he made during his young days and thus also will assist in preventing them from facing the same consequences he has faced; and

 

Whereas, Wendell's ultimate desire is that his labors might help preserve our communities, save the lives of many, and contribute to the development of our young people into agents of change: youth who are part of the solution, rather than part of the problem; and

 

Whereas, this man of faith finds firm support in serving the Lord, his family, and the community through his membership at Lovely Mountain Baptist Church, where he enjoys sitting under the ministry of Pastor Curtis J. Dayson; and

 

Whereas, the members of the House recognize that the success of the State of South Carolina, the strength of its communities, and the vitality of American society as a whole depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of individuals like Wendell Maurice Manigault, Jr., who use their talents and resources to serve others. 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 Wendell Maurice Manigault, Jr., of North Charleston for his many years of dedicated service to his community and extend best wishes as he continues to serve in the days ahead.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Wendell Maurice Manigault, Jr.

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