[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 172 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. HIRAM SPAIN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2016

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate a great American, 
and outstanding South Carolinian, Reverend Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr. Dr. 
Spain, who was simply Hiram to me when we shared classes and hallways 
at South Carolina State College, is retiring from public service. Dr. 
Spain served as Executive Secretary of the Baptist Educational and 
Missionary Convention of South Carolina since his election in 2000 
until his recent retirement.
  Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr. is a native of Conway, South Carolina. In 
addition to graduating with honors from South Carolina State 
University, he received the degree of Juris Doctor from Howard 
University. He did additional studies at the University of South 
Carolina, Morris College Extension and the Columbia International 
Seminary. He is presently pursuing the Master of Divinity degree at the 
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Dr. Spain was ordained by the 
Gethsemane Baptist Association and retired as Pastor of the Saint Mark 
Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
  During my tenure on the staff of Governor John West, I brought Dr. 
Spain on board where he headed the program that became the state's 
first Office of Rural Development to outstanding success. He has served 
as the Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Urban League and as the 
first Black Bureau Chief of the South Carolina Department of Social 
Services.
  Dr. Spain serves his community in several civic capacities, including 
the Board of The United Black Fund of the Midlands, The Executive Board 
of the Gethsemane Baptist Association, The Board of the South Carolina 
Christian Action Council, past Board Member of the Communities in 
Schools of South Carolina, member of the Interdenominational 
Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia, Board Member of the I.D. 
Quincy Newman Institute for social change at the University of South 
Carolina, Board Member of Partnership, South Carolina, and a life 
member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  He has received numerous awards and honors for his civic and 
community service and was recently honored by the City of Columbia and 
the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism for his 
outstanding service and leadership. He has never been reluctant to give 
of his time and energies to civic, professional and community service 
organizations. His favorite Bible verse is Psalm 121 verses 1 and 2, 
``I will lift up mine eyes to the Hills, from whence cometh my help. My 
help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.''
  Dr. Spain is married to the former Doris Bush, a Benedict College 
graduate and retired teacher at W.A. Perry Middle School. They are the 
parents of two adult children, both of whom are social work 
administrators.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and this Congress join me in wishing this 
outstanding South Carolinian, and longtime personal friend, the 
Reverend Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr., a long and productive retirement.

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