[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E368-E369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND KENNETH F. HODGES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2025

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of a distinguished South Carolinian--a pastor, legislator, artist, and 
community builder whose influence reached far beyond his beloved 
Lowcountry.
  Reverend Kenneth F. Hodges, a native of Bennetts Point, passed away 
on April 22, 2025, having left an indelible imprint on the spiritual, 
cultural, and civic life of South Carolina. His journey was marked by 
service, creativity, and a deep devotion to both his heritage and his 
faith.
  Born to Benjamin and Lydia Hodges in the Sea Island community of 
Bennetts Point, Reverend Hodges excelled early in both academics and 
athletics. A record-setting track star at Walterboro High School, he 
went on to earn a business degree from Clark College, where he also 
studied photography under the esteemed Edmond Marshal. His powerful 
images of African life and culture earned national acclaim and awards. 
His passion for the arts led him to establish LyBensons Studio and Art 
Gallery--later expanding into the Gullah Geechee Visitors Center on St. 
Helena Island.
  After earning a Master of Divinity degree from the Morehouse School 
of Religion in Atlanta, Georgia, Reverend Hodges pastored churches in 
Bennettsville and Beaufort, South Carolina. At Taberbacle Baptist 
Church, he spearheaded efforts to honor African American icons, 
including securing recognition for Robert Smalls' gravesite and leading 
the construction of the Harriet Tubman Monument. His spiritual calling 
extended abroad as he preached and taught across Africa and the United 
Kingdom.

[[Page E369]]

  Elected to the South Carolina House of representatives in 2006, 
Reverend Hodges served until 2016. He introduced the bill naming the 
Combahee River crossing the ``Harriet Tubman Bridge,'' led the creation 
of the SC Microenterprise Development Act, and chaired multiple 
legislative subcommittees. His work consistently reflected a commitment 
to empowerment, equity, and cultural preservation.
  Reverend Hodges was a devoted husband to Patricia A. Few and a proud 
father to three daughters--Kendrea, Kenyatta, and Kenithea. Through 
faith, public service, and the arts, he uplifted generations and 
preserved the stories of his people with grace and purpose.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing 
and honoring the extraordinary life of Reverend Kenneth F. Hodges. He 
was more than a leader; he was a vessel of faith, a preserver of 
culture, and a voice for those who too often go unheard, and to me--a 
personal friend. South Carolina is richer for his service. May his 
memory inspire us to serve with the same humility, passion, and purpose 
that defined his life.

                          ____________________