[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19856-19857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF KELVIN WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2007

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary public servant and a tremendous leader in his community 
and state. Williamsburg County Sheriff Kelvin Washington officially 
becomes President of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association on August 
1, 2007, a remarkable achievement for this history-making law enforcer.
  Kelvin Washington was born in Hemingway, South Carolina and was 
reared by his maternal grandmother, the late Thewoflar Washington. He 
graduated from Hemingway High School, and attended South Carolina State 
University. Kelvin went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in 
Criminal Justice from American Intercontinental University. His desire 
to excel in a law enforcement career led Kelvin to complete the South 
Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, the FBI's Carolina Command College, 
and the National Sheriff's Institute. He is currently pursuing a 
Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University.
  In 1990, Kelvin joined the City of Florence Police Department as a 
patrolman. He quickly rose through the ranks becoming a narcotics agent 
and an investigator. Just three years later, Kelvin joined the 
Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office as the Chief Investigator. Soon he 
was tapped as the Chief Deputy. In 1998, only 8 years after his law 
enforcement career began, Kelvin Washington was appointed Interim-
Sheriff after the retirement of former Sheriff Jack McCrea. The 
following January, Kelvin Washington was elected Williamsburg County 
Sheriff making South Carolina history. Sheriff Washington was the 
youngest African American ever to be elected Sheriff in his home state, 
and he is currently one of the youngest African American sheriffs in 
the nation. His effectiveness on the job and his popularity with county 
residents led to his reelection in 2000 and 2004.
  Sheriff Washington is a member of Bethlehem A.M.E. Church in his 
hometown of Hemingway. He also holds memberships in the Chavis Masonic 
Lodge No. 446, the Kingstree Rotary Club, the Palmetto State Law 
Enforcement Officer's Association, and the

[[Page 19857]]

South Carolina Sheriff's Association. Sheriff Washington still finds 
the time to serve as a board member for the Williamsburg County Boys 
and Girls Club and Williamsburg County Vital Aging. In 2002, he was 
selected as the Williamsburg County Area Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the 
Year.
  None of these accomplishments could have been achieved without the 
support of his wife of 17 years, the former Patricia McEachin of East 
Orange, New Jersey, and their three children, Courtney, and twins 
Kelvin, Jr. and Kelsey.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in 
celebrating the achievements of Williamsburg County Sheriff Kelvin 
Washington. His life is a testament to what one can do if you have a 
dream and pursue it with all your might. Sheriff Washington truly 
believes in giving back, and Williamsburg County and the State of South 
Carolina are certainly the beneficiaries of his commitment, talent and 
dedication.

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