[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARY WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
employee of the State of South Carolina with whom I have had the 
extraordinary pleasure of working with as she prepares to retire from 
public service. Mary Lee Williams has served for more than twenty-five 
years on the staff of the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission 
(SHAC).
  In 1983, during my tenure as South Carolina Human Affairs 
Commissioner, I selected Mary as the agency's employee of the year. My 
comments at the time were ``being a receptionist in any office is 
difficult, but when that difficulty is compounded by having to serve as 
a first point of contact to people who feel that they have been 
unfairly treated in the workplace, the job becomes nearly impossible.'' 
I commented in my recognition that Mary ``has over the years 
demonstrated that she has the capacity to do the nearly impossible.'' I 
know the same is true today.
  Mary Williams is a native of Richland County and is a product of its 
public schools. She joined us at SHAC in 1980, where she continues to 
serve ably as an Information Specialist. Her demeanor is friendly and 
helpful, and she always treated those seeking the Commission's help 
with dignity and respect.
  Mary draws her strength of character and her strong work ethic from 
her faith. She has been a member of Bethehem Baptist Church for fifty-
three years. There she lends her talents to singing in the Musical 
Choir, serving in the Women's Ministry, and teaching Sunday School 
classes.
  She has a beautiful voice and has been a member of Columbia, South 
Carolina's Capital City Chorale for a number of years. The Chorale has 
performing on NBC's Today Show and I have had the pleasure of 
sponsoring them in Washington, DC on two occasions. She also shared her 
talents as a soloist during a Black History Month program I keynoted at 
the Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia, and has been awarded a 
Certificate of Appreciation from the Veterans Administration for her 
service.
  Mary has also found time to serve her community as a volunteer. She 
has donated her services to the Meals-On-Wheels program for 17 years. 
For five years, she served on SHAC's United Way Annual Campaign team, 
She has been an active member of both the National Association of Human 
Rights Workers and the South Carolina State Employees Association.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Mary Ann Williams on her retirement from the South Carolina Human 
Affairs Commission. She is a wonderful example of a dedicated public 
servant who has made a true difference in the lives of others. On a 
personal note, I thank Mary for her friendship and support over the 
years. I wish her the best and Godspeed in her future endeavors.

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