[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2016-E2017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REV. HARRY HENRY SINGLETON II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2001

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rev. Harry 
Henry Singleton II, of Conway, SC, who was recently honored by the 
Conway Branch off the NAACP. Rev. Singleton's contributions to his 
community include his work as a teacher, pastor, and community leader. 
Many honors have been bestowed upon Rev. Singleton for his leadership 
by various churches, community service organizations, and individuals.
  ``H.H.,'' as I affectionately call him attended Allen University in 
Columbia, SC, and its J.J. Starks School of Theology. He also attended 
South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, and the University 
of South Carolina in Columbia.
  Before becoming the first black male to teach at Myrtle Beach (South 
Carolina) High School, Rev. Singleton was employed as a Science teacher 
at four other schools in South Carolina. In 1994, after 30 years of 
teaching, Rev. Singleton retired from the teaching profession.
  In 1997, ``H.H.'' retired as pastor of Cherry Hill Baptist Church in 
Conway, SC and was named Pastor Emeritus of the church. During his long 
tenure as Pastor of Cherry Hill, he was often called upon to provide 
leadership to various community causes many of which were far beyond 
the call of duty.
  Rev. Singleton has served as Chairman of the Education Committee of 
the NAACP, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, and member of the 
Executive Board of the South Carolina Conference of NAACP Branches. As 
President of the Conway Chapter of the NAACP, Rev. Singleton is called 
upon for consultation on issues involving race, gender, housing, and 
age discrimination. He has assisted numerous individuals with obtaining 
educational and job opportunities in areas they were previously denied. 
He has encouraged many black community leaders to pursue positions on 
city and county councils, the county school board, and the South 
Carolina General Assembly. Other accomplishments of the Conway NAACP 
under Rev. Singleton's leadership include the introduction of the 
NAACP's Back to School/Stay In School Tutorial Program, implementation 
of Single Member Districts for the election of Horry County School 
Board Members, and the negotiation of Fairshare Agreement Programs with 
Businesses creating more upper management and other job opportunities 
for African Americans.
  In 1989, the Rev. Singleton advised black members of the Conway High 
School Football Team who were protesting treatment of its black 
quarterback. As a result of his action, he was fired from his teaching 
position. Seeking redress of his firing, Rev. Singleton filed a lawsuit 
against the school district and was restored to his teaching position 
by Court mandate in 1991. Rev. Singleton also successfully fought 
against the privatization of Horry County's Automobile Garage which 
would have resulted in the permanent dismissal of seven employees. His 
challenging the Horry County Police Department's hiring practices in 
1993 resulted in the promotion of several black officers and the 
elimination of discriminatory employment screening tests.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring 
a personal friend, Rev. Harry Henry Singleton II for the incredible 
services he has provided, and I might add, continues to provide, to his 
congregation, and community. I sincerely thank Rev. Singleton for his 
outstanding contributions and commitment to pursuing justice and 
equality within his community, and congratulate him on receiving the 
Conway Chapter NAACP Tribute

[[Page E2017]]

award and wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

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