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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR FORMER EDUCATOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER, DEAN WILLIE LLOYD HARRIFORD, JR., AND TO WISH HIM MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND PROSPERITY.
Whereas, in the fall of 1971, Willie Lloyd Harriford, Jr., became the first African-American administrator and director of Afro-American Studies at the University of South Carolina (USC), where he mentored many young men and women, both black and white, who have gone on to serve, not only in the General Assembly, but also in countless leadership positions in our State and nation; and
Whereas, he graduated from the University of Kansas as a scholar and a track and field athlete and continued a family tradition by joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Years later, he was honored as the South Carolina Alpha Man of the Year and chapter president of Alpha Psi Lambda; and
Whereas, with patriotic pride, he served his country briefly in the United States Army, and upon completion, Mr. Harriford served at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, for President Harry S. Truman, as the nation's first African-American archivist to serve on the staff of a former United States President; and
Whereas, after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in 1968, Mr. Harriford relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to establish the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, now known as the Martin Luther King Center for Social Change, where he served in various positions, including director, until called to serve at USC; and
Whereas, while serving at USC, he established the Theta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., whose members have included members of the General Assembly, directors of state agencies, judges, university presidents, and leaders in industry; and
Whereas, Dean Harriford continued to promote education in South Carolina even after retiring from USC by serving as an adjunct professor at Benedict College in Columbia and as an educational consultant with the South Carolina Department of Education; and
Whereas, during his service at USC, Benedict, and the Department of Education, he was instrumental in collecting oral histories from Civil Rights Movement participants, archiving records regarding the African-American experience in the South, and creating a state curriculum in African-American history for public schools; and
Whereas, dedicated to his community, Dean Harriford served, not only as an educator, but also as a community leader, establishing a youth sports program dedicated to providing children in public housing with the opportunity to play youth soccer and football; and
Whereas, he served as a member of the Columbia Historical Society and the Columbia Zoning Board of Adjustment and was recently honored for his many years of service with Keys to the City from the mayor and the City Council of the City of Columbia; and
Whereas, together with his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Fosteen "Tina" Ward Harriford, he reared three fine children: W. L. "Chip" III, Wendy Lynn, and Ward Langston. These children have blessed their parents with the affection of six adoring grandchildren: Morgan Platt, W. L. "Scott" Harriford IV, Jordan Platt, Caitlin Harriford, Taylor Platt, and Sarah McCants. Dean Harriford is the very proud great-grandfather of Silas Kroto and Levi Platt; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to honor this son of South Carolina, and the members extend their deep gratitude to Dean Harriford for his service to our State and nation. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor former educator and community leader, Dean Willie Lloyd Harriford, Jr., and wish him many years of continued health, happiness, and prosperity.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dean Willie Lloyd Harriford, Jr.
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