[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1236-E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO HENRY VINCENT ``VINCE'' FORD

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2022

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
community leader and

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longtime friend, Henry Vincent Ford. Vince, as he was affectionately 
known, transitioned from this life on December 6, 2022, in Columbia, 
South Carolina. His work fighting for equity in historically 
underserved communities has left an indelible mark on the Midlands of 
South Carolina.
  Vince Ford was born on March 18, 1958, in Columbia, South Carolina. 
He graduated from A.C. Flora High School and went on to pursue a 
bachelor's degree at Benedict College in Columbia. He received a 
master's degree from my alma mater, South Carolina State University. 
Vince dedicated his life to bettering the Columbia community and 
Midlands' area, and I was fortunate to get to know Vince well 
throughout his service to his county and state.
  In 1992, Vince was elected to the Richland One School Board. During 
his nearly quarter century tenure on the Board, he served as chairman a 
remarkable eight times. Vince was a fierce advocate for children. He 
led the charge on a bond referendum which led to both the improvement 
and building of several school buildings. He also spearheaded the vote 
to create a tax increment financing district which would lead to the 
creation of important community projects, such as EdVenture Children's 
Museum, Three Rivers Greenway, and Columbia Metropolitan Convention 
Center.
  In 1997, at the same time of his service on the School Board, Vince 
was invited to establish and lead the Office of Community Health at 
Prisma Health. Throughout his time there, he fought for the needs of 
the community's uninsured and medically underserved. After his 
retirement from the School Board in 2016, he officially became the Vice 
President of Community Affairs at Prisma Health. He was a faithful 
advocate of community health through his work with Prisma for over 25 
years. He was fully committed to tackling disparities in health 
treatment in the Midlands, impacting the lives of countless people.
  Through his community leadership, Vince earned several awards and 
accolades. For his time on the School Board, he was named Outstanding 
School Board Member for the Sixth Congressional District and All-State 
School Board Member by the South Carolina School Boards Association. In 
2018, he was inducted into the Richland One Hall of Fame. He was also 
recognized on the Columbia Housing Authority Wall of Fame and received 
the Elaine Whitelaw Volunteer Service Award from the March of Dimes. 
The programs he led were also recognized for their success, with his 
program for drug and alcohol school prevention earning national 
recognition.
  Vince was also an active member of several civic and social 
organizations in the community. He previously served as the Executive 
Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands and the James R. 
Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation. In addition, he served as 
chairperson on the State Education and the Columbia Branch Education 
committees. He was a proud and very active supporter of Benedict 
College throughout his life and was a member of its Board of Trustees. 
He was also a lifelong member of the NAACP and a fellow brother of 
Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
  Vince is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their two children, 
Marcus and Robyn.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
celebrating the remarkable life of Vince Ford. His unwavering 
commitment to serving his community should be an inspiration to us all. 
He will be sorely missed and well-remembered by all who had the honor 
of knowing him.

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