A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE James Ray Blassingame OF Orangeburg COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that  James Ray Blassingame will celebrate his ninetieth birthday on June 11, 2023; and

Whereas, born on June 11, 1933, in the first third of the twentieth century, he has witnessed the many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the first quarter of the twenty-first century; and

Whereas, having been born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Mr. Blassingame graduated from Blue Ridge High School in Seneca and earned both a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1959 and a master's degree in education in 1967 from South Carolina State College; and

Whereas, he served for thirty-five years in the Calhoun County School System before he retired as a principal in St. Matthews. He also served as an associate superintendent and as the director of finance in the Calhoun County School System; and

Whereas, as a spiritual leader with a caring and loving spirit, Mr. Blassingame has had a significant impact on the lives of family members and others. He shares his time with others, offering spiritual support, comfort, and good cheer whenever needed. He has been a strong supporter of expanding the educational horizon of and opportunities for children of all ages. His longstanding dedicated work as a public servant reflects great credit upon him and the South Carolina public school system; and

Whereas, he is a faithful member of Unity Fellowship Community Church in Orangeburg where he serves the congregation as an elder. He is an active member of the Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and

Whereas, James Blassingame married his beloved wife, Patricia Bennett Blassingame, on August 1, 1959, and together they reared two fine children in Orangeburg, Diane and Dion. Their children blessed them with the affection of two loving grandchildren, Denver Wallace and Londyn Burroughs, and one great-granddaughter, Germani Burroughs; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to honor this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his ninetieth birthday and join with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this momentous milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate James Ray Blassingame of Orangeburg County on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to James Ray Blassingame.

----XX----