Whereas, a life member of the NAACP, Reverend Thomas served as president of the Florence chapter during the tumultuous years of desegregation and served as youth advisor to many of the young people, who later became influential leaders in community’s the and the nation; and state’s Pee Dee area Whereas, other civic activities were devoted to Morris College and Benedict College alumni associations; Manna House, a nonprofit organization that provides food and services to the less fortunate; the Pee Dee Community Action Agency; and the local Boys and Girls Club. Reverend Thomas also served the Florence and Baptist Educational Singing Convention, the Darlington counties’ Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, and the Pee Dee District Baptist Convention; and Whereas, an astute businessman and state Notary Public, Reverend Thomas was a licensed brokerincharge for the Middleton Agency, a contractor who built homes throughout Florence County, and a teacher for the community action agency’s “Project TSquare,” which trained young people in brick masonry and carpentry. He also was a board member of Statewide Homes Foundation, established by the late Reverend I. DeQuincey Newman, a former state senator and field secretary of the South Carolina NAACP, to provide housing for lowincome residents; and Whereas, it is fitting and proper that we pay homage to Reverend Edward Hezekiah Thomas for his dedicated service and contributions to Florence County by naming a portion of North McQueen Street in his honor. Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring: That the South Carolina General Assembly request the Department the portion of North McQueen Street in of Transportation name the City of Florence from its intersection with West Lucas Street to its intersection with West Sumter Street “Reverend Edward Hezekiah Thomas and erect appropriate Way” markers or signs along this portion of highway containing this designation.
Whereas, a life member of the NAACP, Reverend Thomas served as president of the Florence chapter during the tumultuous years of desegregation and served as youth advisor to many of the community’s young people, who later became influential leaders in the state’s Pee Dee area and the nation; and Whereas, other civic activities were devoted to Morris College and Benedict College alumni associations; Manna House, a nonprofit organization that provides food and services to the less fortunate; the Pee Dee Community Action Agency; and the local Boys and Girls Club. Reverend Thomas also served the Florence and Darlington counties’ Baptist Educational Singing Convention, the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, and the Pee Dee District Baptist Convention; and Whereas, an astute businessman and state Notary Public, Reverend Thomas was a licensed brokerincharge for the Middleton Agency, a contractor who built homes throughout Florence County, and a teacher for the community action agency’s “Project TSquare,” which trained young people in brick masonry and carpentry. He also was a board member of Statewide Homes Foundation, established by the late Reverend I. DeQuincey Newman, a former state senator and field secretary of the South Carolina NAACP, to provide housing for lowincome residents; and Whereas, it is fitting and proper that we pay homage to Reverend Edward Hezekiah Thomas for his dedicated service and contributions to Florence County by naming a portion of North McQueen Street in his honor. Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring: That the South Carolina General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name the portion of North McQueen Street in the City of Florence from its intersection with West Lucas Street to its intersection with West Sumter Street “Reverend Edward Hezekiah Thomas Way” and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway containing this designation.
5195_20180417.docx