[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 151 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2228]]
                       TRIBUTE TO CLENTE FLEMMING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 1, 1999

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Clente 
Flemming for nearly 30 years of service in the banking industry. 
Through dedication and hard work, Mr. Flemming rose through the ranks 
to become Senior Vice President overseeing Personnel for Bank of 
America in North and South Carolina. At the end of this year, he 
retires from that impressive career to launch a new consulting venture 
in which I am sure he will enjoy similar success.
  Clente Flemming began his career in 1970 as a third shift clerk at 
what was then Bankers' Trust. From there he quickly became a shift 
supervisor and then moved into the auditing department in 1974. But Mr. 
Flemming realized that to further his career he must pursue academic 
achievements beyond his work at Palmer Junior College. He enrolled in 
the University of South Carolina and earned a B.S. in Business 
Administration in 1979.
  After that, his career with the bank took off. He joined the 
personnel department and became Vice President of Employee Relations. 
With that move, Mr. Flemming became the bank's first African American 
Vice President. In 1990, he was elevated to Senior Vice President 
Carolinas Personnel Executive, a position he will hold until the year's 
end.
  Mr. Flemming has utilized his position to hire and train other 
talented African Americans. When he joined the banking industry, it was 
not very diverse. However, he has been in a position to serve as a 
mentor and expand the ranks of minorities at all levels.
  Once officially retired from Bank of America, Mr. Flemming plans to 
use his expertise in personnel matters to help small businesses with 
their personnel policies and benefits. As a consultant he plans to help 
others achieve success. In addition to those efforts, Mr. Flemming has 
plans to open an employment agency focused on finding jobs for the 
underemployed.
  Clente is married to the former Ojeta Irving and they have a 
daughter, Joy, and a son, Eric.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me and my fellow South 
Carolinians as we pay tribute to Clente Flemming for 30 years of 
blazing a trail for African Americans through the banking community. He 
is an excellent role model and we all wish him continued success in his 
new ventures.

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