[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING REVEREND LEE M. SEWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
and righteous South Carolinian on the occasion of his retirement from 
the ministry after 60 years of distinguished service. Reverend Lee M. 
Seward will leave his position as the Presiding Elder of the Lancaster 
District, Columbia Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church on September 17, 2004, and he will 
be sorely missed.
  Lee Seward was born one of ten children to Mr. and Mrs. William 
Seward of Andrews, South Carolina. He grew up in this large family that 
treasured education and faith, and these virtues shaped his future 
path.
  Reverend Sewards love of learning led him to earn a Bachelor's degree 
from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina and a Master's from 
South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He 
pursued further study at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
  In 1967, Reverend Seward was awarded a National Defense Education Act 
(N.D.E.A.) Fellowship to study Linguistics at Emory University in 
Atlanta, Georgia. He did his theological training at Dickerson 
Theological Seminary at Allen University.
  In addition to his education, Reverend Seward also learned many of 
life's lessons during his service in World War II. His commitment to 
serve his country further manifested itself in his lifelong dedication 
to education and to his church.
  Reverend Seward embarked on a duel career teaching English for 13 
years at Roberts High School in Holly Hill, and a combined 12 years 
teaching at Sanders Middle School and Alcorn Middle School in Columbia, 
while also serving in the ministry. Eventually the ministry became his 
primary focus, and he pastored at churches throughout the Midlands and 
in Charleston.
  During his distinguished career, Reverend Seward served as the 
Presiding Elder of the Columbia District, Kingstree District, 
Spartanburg District, Georgetown District and Lancaster District for 
the AME Church in South Carolina. The extensive scope of his ministry 
is evidence of his extraordinary talent and dedication to his calling.
  Reverend Seward, a community activist, is a lifetime Member of the 
N.A.A.C.P. and has been active in numerous religious and political 
organizations as well. I number him among my most valued friends and 
mentors.
  He was married to the late Lula Pressley Seward, who was also a good 
friend and mentor to me.
  The two of them had seven children, six boys and one girl. They have 
three granddaughters, three grandsons, and one great grandson.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Reverend Seward on his tremendous contributions to the 
ministry. As a teacher and a minister, he has set a very high standard 
that I hope future generations will seek to emulate.

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