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S. 1172
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator J. Matthews
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1553cm16.docx
Introduced in the Senate on March 15, 2016
Adopted by the Senate on March 15, 2016
Summary: Bennie Lee Prezzy
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/15/2016 Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 7)
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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO COMMEND BENNIE LEE PREZZY OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND AND TO WISH HIM MUCH BLESSING AND FULFILLMENT IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina Senate recognizes those individuals who give of themselves to the welfare of this great state's citizenry. Such a man is Bennie Lee Prezzy of Orangeburg County; and
Whereas, born to Walter and Estelle A. Prezzy, Bennie Lee Prezzy entered this world in 1921. He learned the power of work as a young man and displayed, taught, and nurtured this virtue throughout his life. Affectionately called "Coon" by many, he grew up in rural Orangeburg County near Vance, where he still resides. Having lost his father at an early age, the young Bennie, with the assistance of very little formal schooling, helped support his mother and sisters. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Rock Hill AME Church in Vance; and
Whereas, in time, Bennie met and married Gladys Jamison, the Lord blessing them with two daughters, three granddaughters, and five great-grandchildren. He worked as a sharecropper farmer, and he and Gladys taught their strong work ethic, as well as their practice of caring for others, to their children; and
Whereas, through his farming, Bennie provided jobs for neighbors and family members and often shared his abundant harvest with those around them. One of his daughters can still remember her dad loading his truck with watermelons and going house to house to gift neighbors with the juicy treats. The family continued to work and care for others while Bennie began dreaming of owning his own land. He purchased his first lot, and on this parcel he and Gladys built the family home; and
Whereas, the church, the Bible, and its teachings were central to the life of Bennie Prezzy, who lived out his faith in the way he treated his fellow man and in the manner in which he served his church. This church class leader was responsible for carrying out numerous tasks, including keeping members who were assigned to him connected to the church both spiritually and financially. He held this job from the days of his young manhood until he was beyond age sixty. Further, he served as a steward and trustee, and he still sings in the Senior Choir; and
Whereas, Bennie and Gladys, who sent both their daughters to college, valued education and attended adult education classes themselves. Farming was changing, so Bennie enrolled in adult classes to reinvent himself. He learned to lay blocks and brick and do electrical work to support his family; and
Whereas, because voting was important to Bennie, he served as poll manager at the Vance precinct for many decades. He made house calls, pushed balloting procedures that made voting convenient for the elderly, and traveled with materials needed for voter registration. He became a notary public and for many years worked with Concerned Citizens of Orangeburg County and voter registration in his church and community. He was also a member of the group that worked to bring health facilities to rural Orangeburg; and
Whereas, even today, in his nineties, Bennie is often called on when community members need the advice and help of an honest man; and
Whereas, the Senate recognizes that the success of the State of South Carolina and the strength of its communities depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of individuals like Bennie Lee Prezzy who use their talents and resources to serve others. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, commend Bennie Lee Prezzy of Orangeburg County for a lifetime of dedicated service to his community and beyond and wish him much blessing and fulfillment in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Bennie Lee Prezzy.
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March 21, 2016 at 10:43 AM