[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO BEVERLY D. CLYBURN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2012

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a tremendous 
public servant, a passionate educator, and a dear friend and relative. 
Beverly Clyburn is being honored on March 23, 2012 for her service on 
Aiken City Council. She retired in November 2011 after 22 years of 
dedicated service to the City of Aiken.
  Beverly LaVerne Dozier was born in Georgetown, South Carolina to 
Maggie and William Dozier. She was the fifth of eight children and one 
of seven girls. From an early age, Beverly loved to learn and she 
graduated in 1961 as Salutatorian of Howard High School.
  She went on to attend Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, 
and graduated with honors in 1965, with a degree in Chemistry and 
Mathematics. It was there that she met her husband, and my cousin, 
William ``Bill'' Clyburn. In 1978, Beverly earned a Masters Degree in 
Secondary Guidance from the University of South Carolina.
  Beverly's first love is education, and she spent 42 years as an 
educator in both Aiken and Allendale counties. She served as a guidance 
counselor at Midland Valley High School and guidance director at South 
Aiken High School, a position she retired from in 1999. Following 
retirement she was drawn back into education to help improve the 
Allendale County schools after a State take-over. Today she continues 
to work in education at the Aiken Performing Arts Academy as a part-
time assistant director and guidance counselor.
  In 1988, Beverly was urged by members of the community to run for 
Aiken City Council. She took on the challenge, and won the District 1 
seat. She is known for her thoroughness on council, diligently studying 
every issue and visiting the sites that would be impacted before she 
cast her vote.
  During her tenure on council, she has participated in numerous 
development projects including the 10-year renewal plan for Aiken's 
Northside, the Crosland Park redevelopment project, the Center for 
African American History, Art and Culture, and the Aiken Visitors 
Center and Train Museum. She served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2002 2004, 
and has been honored for her work in chairing the first four NLC 
Diversity Breakfasts. She has also served as the chair of the Aiken 
County DSS Board.
  In 2001, the South Carolina General Assembly honored Beverly for her 
work in Aiken and Allendale counties and the State of South Carolina. 
The Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce named her the 2009 Woman of the 
Year for her commitment to the Aiken area. She has also earned the 
honor of Woman of Distinction from her church, Cumberland African 
Methodist Episcopal.
  Beverly and Bill have been married for 47 years, and are the parents 
of three adult children--William, Jr., Wilson, and Courtney. They also 
served as foster parents to daughter, Carmen. Today they have three 
grandchildren, and spending more time with her beloved family was the 
impetus for her retirement from Aiken City Council.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Beverly Dozier Clyburn on a job well done. She has spent 
her entire career in public service whether as an educator or an 
elected official. Her efforts have made Aiken County a better place, 
and she has been a positive influence on countless lives along the way. 
I wish her all the best in this new chapter in her life, and knowing 
Beverly as I do, look forward to her continued work on behalf of 
others.

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