A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 215 IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 34 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 213 "ELDER RICHARD BROWN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

 

Whereas, Mr. Richard Brown, affectionately called "Snook", was born on July 26, 1914, on Edisto Island, South Carolina, the fourth of six children of Abbie and George Brown. With strong Christian roots, he joined Zion Episcopal Reformed Church at an early age. Understanding the importance of meditation and knowledge of the scriptures, he read the Bible each morning; and

 

Whereas, his quest for learning began at Presbyterian Church, Larimer School, founded for the children of Edisto School during segregation. He continued his education at Brainerd Institute in Chester where he studied Latin, rhetoric, and mathematics. He furthered his education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he majored in political science and in 1937 was initiated into the Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, later becoming a life member. Financial difficulties caused him to leave college and find work in New York to continue his studies and support his mother and siblings. The United States' entry into World War II interrupted his plans and in July 1942 he joined the Army, being honorably discharged in November 1945; and

 

Whereas, determined to continue his education, Mr. Brown enrolled at South Carolina State College to complete his undergraduate degree. As a part of the Great Migration, he returned to New York to work and attended Columbia University, earning his master's degree in 1947. In later years, he pursued a doctorate at New York University. It also was in 1947 that he met the love of his life, Annye Ruth McAlister, his beloved wife for sixty-seven years and the mother of their four daughters; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Brown embarked on a career in education that included an assistant principal position in Virginia, a stint as Dean of Men at Bethune-Cookman College in Florida where he was mentored by fellow South Carolinian Mary McCloud Bethune. He adopted many of her educational philosophies - self discipline, educating oneself, and becoming financially independent. In 1951, he moved closer to family accepting a position as principal of Robertsville School in Jasper. His reputation as a visionary educator led him to accept an invitation in 1954 to become the first principal of the new McCrorey-Liston School, a consolidated state-of-the-art school for grades one through twelve; and

 

Whereas, as principal, he set high expectations for students and faculty alike, encouraging them to seek higher education beyond their bachelor's degree. As a result, McCrorey-Liston had more teachers with advanced degrees than similar schools, and the staff ensured the students received academic and athletic scholarships to go to their perspective colleges. He often reminded them to "walk circumspectly" (Ephesians 5:15). He retired in 1978 after twenty-five years as principal and having never missed a single day of work; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Brown and his wife returned to Edisto Island in 1984, built their dream home, and became immersed in the island's religious, social, and civic life. He was a member of the Beta Mu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and in 2000 was named "Sigma Man of the Year." He also was active with the Edisto Island Preservation Society, and Edisto Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. An avid reader of political writings and a prolific debater, one of the highlights of his long life was voting for and witnessing the election of Barack Obama as the country's first African American president; and

 

Whereas, one month shy of his 100th birthday, Mr. Brown passed away having touched the lives of thousands of students and friends, he often was heard to say, "As God has blessed you, so you must bless others."  When asked the secret to his longevity he'd say, "Love the Lord, treat people right, and be slow to anger"; and

 

Whereas, it is only fitting and proper that Mr. Richard Brown, a native son of the Palmetto State, a lifelong educator, and a man who lived an exemplary life serving God and making sure he helped others get ahead, be honored with a highway named in his memory. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the portion of South Carolina Highway 215 in Fairfield County from its intersection with South Carolina Highway 34 to its intersection with South Carolina Highway 213 "Elder Richard Brown Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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