Bill 1222

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                    1222
Type of Legislation:            Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:               Senate
Introduced Date:                19980429
Primary Sponsor:                Washington 
All Sponsors:                   Washington 
Drafted Document Number:        pt\1936dw.98
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   19980505
Subject:                        Mrs. Eleanor M. Randall,
                                Resolutions

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

Senate  19980505  Received from House
House   19980430  Introduced, adopted, returned
                  with concurrence
Senate  19980429  Introduced, adopted, sent to House

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE BELOVED MRS. ELEANOR M. RANDALL OF HARDEEVILLE ON THE OCCASION OF HER EIGHTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are very proud to learn that Mrs. Eleanor M. Randall will be eighty-five years young on May 12, 1998; and

Whereas, reared in Hardeeville, she graduated from Savannah State College and completed further study at South Carolina State College and the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Eleanor Randall was married to the late Reverend Marshall B. Randall, Sr., and they were blessed with two children: a daughter, Gloria Randall Starks, a retired educator of Miami and a son, Marshall B. Randall, Jr., a business executive of Satellite Beach, Florida; and

Whereas, Mrs. Randall's beginnings were in a separate and not so equal system. She arose, however, above every societal obstacle to achievements which characterize her personal and professional life; and

Whereas, a life-long resident of Hardeeville, she has not only been an eye witness to the social metamorphosis that has occurred during that period, but has and continues to be a participant in the evolution of her community; and

Whereas, she began her public service as a schoolteacher in a segregated one room, one teacher school that served grades one through seven. She remained in this worst of learning environments for four years. Concerned but not discouraged by the reality of the situation, she made a commitment both to education and the Black children of Hardeeville that spanned thirty continuous years devoted to public education; and

Whereas, Mrs. Randall later moved to the Hardeeville Colored School as its only first grade teacher. Although the learning environment was improved, she recognized the personal need to supplement the standard curriculum with education and community values that were essential to the development of good citizenship. She tirelessly committed her personal time and resources to providing this needed dimension. As the education system improved, she moved to the West Hardeeville Elementary School where she was one of two first grade teachers. In later years, when the Hardeeville school system was integrated, she was one of the Black teachers to integrate that school as she continued in her role as a first grade teacher. Mrs. Randall was considered to have been a calming influence as the school system and the community began its transformation from segregated to an integrated system; and

Whereas, after the Head Start Program was introduced in the system, Eleanor Randall served as the Head Teacher for three years in this integrated system. Her service to the students and contributions to the community were particularly noteworthy during this period. Her skillful blending of knowledge and understanding in this new environment helped create an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance that transcended the classroom and provided reassurance to the parents, the administration, and the community; and

Whereas, the impact that Mrs. Randall's years of teaching has had on the lives of countless numbers of young people in Hardeeville can be measured in terms of results her influence has had over the years. She continues to count as her most gratifying and rewarding moments the frequent comments she now receives from former students who credit her influence in their formative years with their ultimate success. Among them are doctors, contractors, chefs, hotel managers, certified public accounts, ministers, city council members, teachers, electricians, a magistrate, directors of educational programs, realtors, day care owners, computer technicians, research scientists and chemists, law enforcement officers, counselors, and many others. It is the contribution of these former students that now helps to make Hardeeville and other communities throughout the Palmetto State better places in which to work and live; and

Whereas, Mrs. Randall has been a member of St. Stephen A.M.E. Church for more than sixty years and while her husband was the Pastor of St. Stephen, she was the "First Lady" for approximately twenty years. She has continuously served St. Stephen on numerous committees and organizations. Through these activities she extended her influence as a concerned citizen and participant in moral, spiritual, and social activities of her community; and

Whereas, the history of Mrs. Eleanor M. Randall's eighty-five years in Hardeeville reflects the history of the town in which she has played an active and contributing part. It is a history that has a legacy of positive impact on the lives of hundreds of students and the community as a whole. Countless young people and the Hardeeville community at large is richer for the knowledge, experiences, patience, and thoughtfulness which characterize her enduring work; and

Whereas, her perseverance and diligence in promoting self-esteem, success, and affection has won this dear and caring lady the love and admiration of all whose lives touched hers. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, extend sincere congratulations and best wishes to the beloved Mrs. Eleanor M. Randall of Hardeeville on the occasion of her eighty-fifth birthday celebration.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Eleanor M. Randall.