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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. HIRAM SPAIN, JR., PASTOR OF ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH IN COLUMBIA, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND CARING MINISTRY, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina are pleased to learn that Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr., will be honored by family and friends at a celebration on Sunday, February 10, 2013, as he begins his well-deserved retirement; and
Whereas, a native of Conway, Hiram Spain earned a bachelor's with honors from South Carolina State University and a juris doctorate from Howard University. He is currently pursuing a master of divinity at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary; and
Whereas, he served as chief executive officer of the Columbia Urban League, as the first black bureau chief for the South Carolina Department of Social Services, and in the office of Governor John C. West, where he headed the program which became the first Office of Rural Development in this State; and
Whereas, a licensed master social worker, Dr. Spain was ordained by the Gethsemane Baptist Association and was elected in 2000 as the first executive secretary of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, where he continues to serve; and
Whereas, with genuine concern for his community, he serves on the board of United Black Fund of the Midlands, the executive board of the Gethsemane Baptist Association, and the board of South Carolina Christian Action Council; and
Whereas, a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Spain has served on the board of Communities in Schools of South Carolina, the I. Dequincy Newman Institute for Peace and Social Justice at the University of South Carolina, and the Minority Advisory Council for Congressman Joe Wilson; and
Whereas, he has received numerous awards and honors for his civic and community service and was most recently honored by the City of Columbia and the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism for his exceptional service and tireless leadership to civic, professional, and community service organizations; and
Whereas, heeding the words of his favorite Scripture, "I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth," Dr. Spain with his beloved wife, Doris Bush Spain, reared two fine children, and he has faithfully served his community; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the years of dedication that Dr. Hiram Spain has devoted to ministry and service and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr., pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Columbia, upon the occasion of his retirement after fifteen years of outstanding and caring ministry, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Hiram Spain, Jr.
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