H*4397 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*4397 Concurrent Resolution, By Govan, Cobb-Hunter, J.G. Felder, Sharpe and
Stuart
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF
THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STERLING J. DOWLING OF
ORANGEBURG-WILKERSON HIGH SCHOOL UPON BEING CHOSEN AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE 1997
AMERICAN LEGION PALMETTO BOYS' STATE AND TO FURTHER HONOR THIS OUTSTANDING
YOUNG MAN ON ATTAINING THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
1997 AMERICAN LEGION BOYS' NATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
01/13/98 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-58
01/15/98 Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-42
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE GRATITUDE AND
APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO STERLING J. DOWLING OF
ORANGEBURG-WILKINSON HIGH SCHOOL UPON BEING
CHOSEN AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE 1997 AMERICAN
LEGION PALMETTO BOYS' STATE AND TO FURTHER
HONOR THIS OUTSTANDING YOUNG MAN ON ATTAINING
THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT OF
THE 1997 AMERICAN LEGION BOYS' NATION IN
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are proud of Sterling
J. Dowling, a rising senior at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, on
reaching another milestone in his young and bright future by being
elected Governor of the 1997 American Legion Palmetto Boys' State;
and
Whereas, Boys' State participants are chosen by their local post of
the American Legion, which sponsors the program at both the state
and national levels. To meet all the requirements of an ideal Boys'
State delegate, one must possess character, leadership and scholarship
qualities, and all-around worthiness; and
Whereas, this year's Palmetto Boys' State brought more than seven
hundred fifty rising high school seniors together at Wofford College
to organize their own political parties and governments; and
Whereas, the competition for Governor of this prestigious
organization began within Sterling Dowling's political party, the
"Nationalists", where he was nominated and ran against twenty-two
others; and
Whereas, it has been thirty years since an Orangeburg delegate was
elected Governor of the Palmetto Boys' State; and
Whereas, by popular vote, the candidates were narrowed down to
two, a primary was held, and Sterling won, which meant at the joint
political rally he would be facing the "Federalist" party for the final
showdown; and
Whereas, prior to the last vote, his speech dealt with unity, improved
education, with the delegates of Boys' State going out and becoming
men, and not being content with the maze of mediocrity. His speech
had an impact on those who voted and Sterling Dowling was
unanimously elected Governor of the 1997 Palmetto Boys' State; and
Whereas, Orangeburg's own Sterling Dowling, after a culmination of
seventeen years of hard work and determination, achieved an even
higher honor in Washington, D.C., by his ultimate election as
President of the 1997 American Legion Boys' Nation; and
Whereas, he is the son of Jeffrey and Bessie Dowling of
Orangeburg;
and has a nineteen-year-old brother, Steven; and a twelve-year-old
sister, Shandrea; and
Whereas, Sterling has shown extraordinary drive and determination
in his schooling and community involvement including: Student
Body Parliamentarian, Varsity Debate Captain, Academic Quiz Bowl
Captain, Corps Commander AFJROTC, Mock Trial Team, Youth in
Government, Student Advisory Board, Youth of Allen Development
Program Mentor, Palmetto Project Operation HOPE for Race
Relations, OCAB HIV/AIDS Peer Educator, Orangeburg-Calhoun
Adult Literacy Council Certified Tutor, and Young People's Division
President at Williams Chapel AME Church; and
Whereas, after graduating from high school, he plans to continue his
education at Morehouse College in Atlanta or at the United States Air
Force Academy earning an undergraduate degree in English.
Following his undergraduate studies, he intends to seek a degree at
the North Carolina Central School of Law; and
Whereas, through this young man's dynamic motivation and
commitment, he has been an inspiration to others by not placing
limits on one's capabilities to succeed in life, prosper, and make
meaningful contributions to society; and
Whereas, Sterling Dowling has not only brought great pride to his
family, faculty and students of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School,
and community but to the citizens of the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, it is appropriate for the members of the General Assembly
to pause in their deliberations to proudly claim Sterling Dowling as
one of South Carolina's own and to publicly recognize this
exemplary young man whose achievements have merited the highest
respect of all who know him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina, by this resolution, express their sincere gratitude and
appreciation to Sterling J. Dowling of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High
School upon being chosen as the Governor of the 1997 American
Legion Palmetto Boys' State and to further honor this outstanding
young man on attaining the ultimate goal of being elected President
of the 1997 American Legion Boys' Nation in Washington, D.C.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
Mr. Sterling J. Dowling and to Ms. Thomasenia Benson, Principal of
Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.
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