[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 135 (Friday, August 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E848-E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WILLIE B. OWENS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 2022

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dedicated public servant, highly respected educator and a longtime 
personal friend. Recently retired Orangeburg County Councilman Willie 
B. Owens, Sr. transitioned from this life on August 5, 2022. He has 
left an indelible mark on his community and all of those who were 
fortunate to know him.
  Willie B. Owens, Sr. was born on November 8, 1938, in Branchville, 
South Carolina to the late Bennie C. Owens and Lillie Ruth Warren 
Owens. Willie B., as he was always affectionately known, graduated from 
Wilkinson High School in 1956. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree 
in Agriculture in 1960 and a Master of Education Degree in 1966 from 
South Carolina State College. He went on to earn his E.D. from the 
Citadel and did further study at Clemson University and the University 
of South Carolina.
  I knew Willie B. from our days together on the campus of South 
Carolina State where we both were active as students in campus 
activities and civil rights protests in Orangeburg County. He continued 
his activism throughout his life participating in voter registration 
drives and taking people to the polls to vote. He was also a Life 
Member of the NAACP, and always stood up against injustices.
  Willie B. spent his professional career working in education. He 
began in the public schools serving as an agriculture teacher at 
Richard Carroll High School and Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. He served 
as Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School's Director of Transportation and then 
Principal. He also had a stint as Director of the Future Farmers of 
America Camp in Orangeburg, and as Director of Vocational Programs for 
Bamberg School District One.

[[Page E849]]

  Willie B. went on to work in higher education. He held two different 
positions at Voorhees College, Assistant Vice President for Academic 
Affairs and Executive Director of the South Carolina Regional Community 
Development Corporation on the Denmark campus. He also served as 
Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration and Director for 
Professional and Continuing Studies at Claflin University .
  In 2007, Willie B. was elected to the Orangeburg County Council to 
represent the citizens of District 7, a position he held for 15 years. 
He stepped down in June 2022, due to health concerns. Willie B. was a 
leader on the Council and an outspoken advocate for the people. His 
outstanding accomplishments were numerous. He led the effort to create 
a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. monument outside the Orangeburg 
County Courthouse. The monument serves to honor the great civil rights 
leader and County residents that have distinguished themselves in the 
areas of justice, community, government and first responders. The 
distinctive monument was unveiled in 2021 and was constructed using 
Capital Project Sales Tax funds. He also spearheaded the building of 
Whittaker Community Center, which was dedicated just 2-days before he 
retired from Council.
  Willie B. was very active in the community. He was a member of the 
South Carolina Association for Community Developers, the National 
Association of Student Affairs Professionals, the South Carolina Task 
Force for the Study of School Incentive Programs, the South Carolina 
Department of Education Advance Placement Advisory Committee, and 
served as an Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Area Commissioner. 
Other leadership positions included President of South Carolina AA 
Athletic Association, Chairman of the Regional Medical Center Board of 
Trustees, and Chairman of Orangeburg County Peoples Assault on Drugs. 
He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
  His outstanding contributions were recognized by numerous awards 
including the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, the 
Outstanding Achievement Award in Education, the Excellence in Education 
Award, the Outstanding Service Award from Bamberg Job Corps, the Omega 
Man of the Year, the South Carolina Future Farmers of America Honorary 
Degree, the Outstanding Young Educator Award, the South Carolina 
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Outstanding Presidential 
Award, and the Star Teacher of the Year Award.
  Willie B. was a man of faith and became a member of McBranch Baptist 
Church in Branchville, South Carolina at an early age. He was married 
to Arminta Owens for 59 years. They have three sons, Willie B. Owens, 
Jr., Derrick Owens, and Greg Nell and two granddaughters.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
celebrating the life and legacy of Willie B. Owens, Sr. He spent his 
entire adult life serving Orangeburg County, South Carolina, and his 
contributions made a difference in countless lives. Many future 
generations will benefit from the leadership of Willie B., and that is 
a great testament to a life well lived.

                          ____________________