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TO CONGRATULATE THE REVEREND JAMES S. HALL, JR., NATIVE OF MARION, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HIM FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PALMETTO STATE, THIS GREAT NATION, AND TO THE CONGREGATION OF TRIUMPH BAPTIST CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Reverend James S. Hall, Jr., civil rights activist and teacher of God's word, will celebrate his ninetieth birthday on July 25, 2022; and
Whereas, born in 1932 in Marion, to Eliza and Reverend James S. Hall, Sr., Reverend Hall, Jr., was reared in a strong Christian home. His father, also a preacher, taught him about the Israelite children in Egyptian bondage and instructed him to always stand up for his rights, even in the midst of a segregated society. Because of his father, he has lived and breathed by these words; and
Whereas, Reverend Hall's own experience and witness to racial discrimination fueled his pursuit of racial equality and his commitment to strengthen the African American community. In high school, the young James organized a boycott against a major bread company after a deliveryman struck a black female storekeeper for complaining about delivery of stale bread. While attending school at Morris College, he was removed from his radio broadcast and threatened when he spoke out against racism and segregation; and
Whereas, one of his most memorable activist moments was when famed baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, visited Greenville and stayed at Hall's home. In October 1959, when Reverend Hall was pastoring a church in Greenville, Robinson traveled to Greenville to speak at the NAACP's annual conference. Hall and his wife accompanied Robinson to the Greenville Municipal Airport as he prepared to depart. While waiting in the main airport lounge, the group was told to move to the colored section. They refused, which culminated in Hall organizing the first march on the Greenville Municipal Airport in January 1960; and
Whereas, having been taught and mentored by strong Christian men as he grew up, Reverend Hall recognized the need to mentor those coming up after him and was able to mentor and baptize the Reverend Jesse Jackson during his time in Greenville; and
Whereas, in preparation for his life's work in the church, Reverend Hall earned bachelor's degrees in both education and divinity from Morris College. In 1969, he organized Triumph Baptist Church in Philadelphia where, after fifty-three years, he still pastors today. Prior to joining Triumph, Hall pastored Mount Rona Baptist Church in Florence, Rafting Creek Baptist Church in Sumter, Springfield Baptist Church in Greenville, and Morris Chapel Baptist Church in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, as senior advisor to lawmakers representing Pennsylvania, Hall continues to give voice to the voiceless within his community. He has served as Vice President of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, vice president of the SC chapter of NAACP, and as local president of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Greenville. He is also involved in Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), the Baptist Minister's Conference, and the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention, and has served on the board of trustees at Morris College; and
Whereas, Reverend Hall's efforts throughout his life have created great change and betterment to the African American community, as well as bettering the lives of all citizens throughout the Palmetto State and this great nation. The members of the House of Representatives recognize his invaluable efforts and honor the sacrifices he made for the betterment of others. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Reverend James S. Hall, Jr., native of Marion, on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and recognize and honor him for a lifetime of service to the people of the Palmetto State, this great nation, and to the congregation of Triumph Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend James S. Hall, Jr.
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