[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO LYNETTE BRYANT FRYAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2021

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear 
friend and a dedicated public servant, Lynette Bryant Fryar. A victim's 
Advocate at the Colleton County Sheriff's Department and former Chair 
of the Colleton County Election Commission, Ms. Fryar passed away on 
April 16, 2021. Her passing has left a huge void in the community.
  Ms. Fryar was born in 1949 to Leon Bryant, Sr., and Pattie Mae Gruber 
Bryant. She graduated as the valedictorian from Ruffin High School in 
Colleton County, and went on to earn a degree in Secretarial Science 
from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College.
  She spent 36 years working for Clemson University at the Cooperative 
Extension Service in Colleton County. There she worked with youth 
development and outreach, using her care and concern for her community 
to build educational opportunities. She was awarded Clemson 
University's Outstanding Service Award for her exemplary work.
  Following her retirement from the university, she chose not to slow 
down, but ramp up her community engagement. She spent three years 
working for AmeriCorps before becoming a Victims' Advocate at the 
Colleton County Sheriff's Department. There she continued doing what 
she did best, serving as a source of strength for those in need.
  Ms. Fryar was very active politically. She joined the Colleton County 
Elections and Voter Registration Board in 2005 and served as its Chair. 
She continued to serve on the elections board until her death to ensure 
that all residents of Colleton County had access to the ballot box.
  Ms. Fryar had an incredible ability to connect with people and was my 
MVP (most valuable proponent) in Colleton county. She believed 
strongly, just as I do, that we must all find something to do for which 
we are not paid. Her volunteer efforts were extensive, and all were 
focused on serving her beloved Colleton County. Her commitment to the 
community includes serving as a member of the S.C. Department of 
Education Personal Pathways Committee, the Keep Colleton Beautiful 
Committee, the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Futures Task 
Force Committee, the Lowcountry Food Bank Board, and many other boards 
and commissions. She was the former Director for Youth Leadership 
Colleton and the former Coordinator for Backpack Buddies in Colleton 
County. She held leadership offices with the Colleton County Branch of 
the NAACP, Colleton County Improvement Collaborative, the HCA Hospital 
Board of Trustees, the Colleton County School Board of Trustees, the 
American Cancer Society (Colleton County), the American Cancer Society 
Rehabilitation Committee (Colleton County), and the South Carolina 
Association of Cooperative Extension Secretaries.
  Ms. Fryar remained dedicated to her alma mater and served as the 
liaison for Ruffin High School and the Colleton County Vocational 
Center. She also served on the Colleton County Transition Committee for 
the merger of Ruffin High School and Walterboro High School. She was 
also devoted to her church and served as several capacities including 
as a minister to the congregation.
  She was married to David L. Fryar, and they are the parents of three 
daughters, Katrina Fryar of Columbia, South Carolina, Ronda Cropp 
(Jeffrey) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Muriel Fryar of Atlanta, 
Georgia. She also had two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the life and legacy of Lynette Fryar. Her passion for Colleton County's 
people and places was unparalleled and her impact on her community will 
endure forever.

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