[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 26 (Monday, February 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM P. DIGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2013

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
theologian and dedicated community servant. Dr. William P. Diggs has 
retired after 50 years of leading Trinity Baptist Church in Florence, 
South Carolina. He has set a tremendous example of stewardship and 
service for future generations to follow.
  Dr. Diggs was born in Columbia, South Carolina, but grew up in Rock 
Hill. Always a dedicated student, he graduated from Morehouse College, 
earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from Atlanta University, a Master 
of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New 
York, and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in 
Chicago.
  Educational opportunities took him around the country, but Dr. Diggs 
longed to return home to South Carolina. Upon his return, he served as 
Pastor at Flat Rock Baptist Church in Clover, South Carolina, and 
Galilee Baptist Church in nearby York. In 1962, he truly found a home 
when he took the position as Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church where he 
remained until his retirement in December 2012.
  During his half-century at Trinity, the church itself grew in size 
and influence. The improvements to the physical structure included a 
church manse, a complete renovation of the edifice, and the 
construction of a new education building. The church also purchased two 
buildings--Trinity Annex and the Old Seaboard Depot--and secured land 
for a new parking lot. A new addition which houses a pre-school; 
additional Sunday school classrooms; meeting rooms; and a fully-
equipped kitchen was also built. And in 2010, the church purchased 
commercial property on North Dargan Street that includes barber shops, 
beauty salons and a restaurant.
  The church's community influence also grew with its size. Dr. Diggs 
made education a priority and led Trinity Baptist Church to contribute 
nearly $35,000 annually to higher education facilities. He also 
instituted a pre-school which is licensed by the State of South 
Carolina and has been recognized for its excellence. The church also 
organized a federally operated credit union, which has assets of almost 
three million dollars.
  Dr. Diggs accomplished quite a lot at Trinity Baptist Church, but his 
contributions did not stop at the church's door. He served as an 
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Friendship, Benedict and Morris 
Colleges for a total of 24 years, and is a former Adjunct Professor at 
Francis Marion University. He is a sought after speaker having 
addressed students at Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Religion, 
Interdenominational Theological Center, Bishop College, the University 
of South Carolina, Winthrop University and Coker College, and many 
sermons at churches throughout the country.
  He has also contributed his time and talents to other faith-based 
organizations; serving as Past President and Past Dean of the Congress 
of Christian Education, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 
and Past Dean of the South Region. He is also a Past Moderator of the 
Pee Dee Baptist Association, and the Past Dean of the Pee Dee Baptist 
Workshop.
  He has served as a member of the Boards of Trustees at Friendship 
College, Benedict College, and Morris Colleges, a member of the Boards 
of Directors at Morehouse School of Religion, the Interdenominational 
Theological Center, and as a board member of Nannie Helen Burroughs 
School, the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity, and the Mayor's 
Human Relations Committee.
  Dr. Diggs is a Life Member of the NAACP, and Past President of the 
Florence Branch. He helped to organize the first ``sit-in'' 
demonstrations in South Carolina, which occurred on February 12, 1960 
in Rock Hill.
  Dr. Diggs is the recipient of numerous awards including the Order of 
the Palmetto in 1996, the highest civilian award given by the Governor 
of South Carolina. He was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall 
of Fame in 1998 by 100 Black Men of South Carolina, Inc. and the United 
Black Fund. The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce awarded him the 
Building Bridges Humanitarian Award in 2000. He is also the recipient 
of the Pee Dee Area Council Boy Scouts of America Whitney Young Award 
and the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service for the State of South 
Carolina among many other honors.
  Dr. Diggs is married to the former Clotilda Daniels, and the couple 
has two children--Mary Lynne and William, Jr. (Lennette). They have one 
grandson, William IV.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commending Dr. 
William P. Diggs for his more than 50 years of service in the ministry. 
His ministry is a living example of Peter's admonition, ``As each one 
has received a special gift, employs it in serving one another, as good 
stewards of the manifold grace of God.'' I am proud to call Dr. Diggs a 
dear friend, and I wish him well in retirement.

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