Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 291 IN GREENVILLE COUNTY FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 385 TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH MAULDIN ROAD "CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAY" IN HONOR OF DR. BILL AND LOTTIE GIBSON AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THE WORDS "CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WAY".
Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives should pause in their deliberations to express their profound appreciation for the life and work of Dr. and Mrs. William Frank "Bill" Gibson; and
Whereas, Dr. William Frank "Bill" Gibson, a dentist in Greenville, was a passionate civil rights leader who became a drum major for justice in the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, he chaired the first voter-education project in Greenville, and his successful fight for single-member districts facilitated the election of blacks to local- and state-elected offices; and
Whereas, Dr. Gibson founded the Black Council for Progress in Greenville to negotiate fair-share agreements with local government and businesses; and
Whereas, he headed the South Carolina NAACP chapter for eighteen years, and his service at the local and state levels led to his service as chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors from 1985 to 1996; and
Whereas, at the helm of the largest and most respected Civil Rights organization, Dr. Gibson was highly successful in leveraging economic opportunities nationwide; and
Whereas, his beloved wife, Lottie Beal Gibson, was a champion of the poor for over fifty years through her leadership on the board of SHARE and numerous other organizations; and
Whereas, born in Seneca, she directed student-support programs at Greenville Technical College for over thirty years and was elected to serve on the Greenville County Council in 1992; and
Whereas, an educator and Civil Rights activist, Mrs. Gibson persisted in her efforts to see the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., become a holiday for Greenville County employees; and
Whereas, together Dr. and Mrs. Gibson reared four fine children: Bill, Jr.; Norman "Tim"; Ken; and Gaybriel. They blessed their parents with the affection of ten adoring grandchildren: Jasmine; Samantha; Brittany; Zachary; Savannah; Takeesha; Sara; Christian; Bill III; and Doyle; and
Whereas, although Dr. Gibson passed away in M ay 2002 at the age of sixty-nine and Mrs. Gibson in December 2016 at the age of eighty-six, their lives and legacies will continue to inspire generations to come in their passion to serve their fellow man; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to honor their legacy as civil rights leaders by naming a portion of highway in Greenville County "Civil Rights Movement Way". Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation name the portion of South Carolina Highway 291 in Greenville County from its intersection with Interstate Highway 385 to its intersection with Mauldin Road "Civil Rights Movement Way" in honor of Dr. Bill and Lottie Gibson and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway containing the words "Civil Rights Movement Way".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
This web page was last updated on April 7, 2022 at 11:50 AM