[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 82 (Friday, May 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E409-E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. WILLIAM P. DIGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2020

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
man of faith and a true community servant. Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs, 
Sr. Dr. Diggs transitioned in Florence, South Carolina on April 25, 
2020. Although he is no longer with us in person, his legacy lives on 
through his tremendous work.
  William Diggs, Sr. was born in Columbia, South Carolina and grew up 
in Rock Hill. He earned his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College 
and a Master's from Atlanta University. He found his calling in the 
ministry and earned a Master of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester 
Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological 
Seminary in Chicago.
  He began his career in his hometown of Rock Hill, where he served as 
an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Friendship Junior College. While 
there, he helped students organize a sit-in that launched the Jail No 
Bail movement in 1960.
  In 1962, Rev. Dr. Diggs joined Trinity Baptist Church in Florence, 
South Carolina, where he served as head pastor for 50 years before 
retiring in 2012. He left his imprint on the church through several 
initiatives. Under his supervision, the church parsonage was completed 
in 1964, the church property was expanded, and many additions and 
improvements were made to the complex over his tenure. He also added a 
fully accredited preschool and chartered a federal credit union.

[[Page E410]]

Beyond the church's physical plant, Rev. Dr. Diggs also oversaw the 
purchase of commercial property that provide business opportunities in 
the community like barber and beauty shops and a restaurant.
  During his time as a faith leader, he also served in many secular 
capacities. He taught at Benedict College in Columbia and Morris 
College in Sumter. Rev. Dr. Diggs also served as President of the 
Florence Branch of the NAACP and was a poweeful voice for social 
justice. He was a calming presence during the 1975 riots that erupted 
in Florence after a police officer shot a black man during a traffic 
stop.
  Rev. Dr. Diggs served as a board member of Friendship, Benedict and 
Morris colleges, Morehouse School of Religion, the Interdenominational 
Theological Center, Nannie Helen Burroughs School, the Greater Florence 
Habitat for Humanity, and the Florence Mayor's Human Relations 
Committee.
  He was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the 
Palmetto. In addition, he was named to the South Carolina Black Hall of 
Fame and was recognized in the South Carolina African American History 
Calendar.
  Rev. Dr. Diggs was married to the former, Clotilda Daniels, and the 
couple has two adult children, William, Jr. and Mary Lynn, who managed 
my campaign for South Carolina Secretary of State. They have one 
grandson, William, III.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs, Sr. I considered him 
both a political and religious mentor, who taught us all ``to do 
justly, be merciful and walk humbly'' as instructed in Micah 6:8. He 
will be sorely missed.

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