A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to request the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 321 in Hampton County from its intersection with South Carolina Highway 363 to the Hampton-Allendale County line the "Honorable James Risher, Sr. Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Whereas, born November 5, 1932, in Hampton County, the Honorable James Risher, Sr., was the son of the late Mr. Evans and Mrs. Rosa Lee McKay Risher. He married his beloved wife, Mary Ann Gooding, in 1954, and together they reared four sons and one daughter. Their children blessed them with adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren. He departed his earthly life on November 28, 2020; and

 

Whereas, baptized at an early age at St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church, he served as a class leader, a member of the church steward board, the superintendent for church school, the church treasurer, and the lay president for the Beaufort District; and

 

Whereas, Mr. James Risher became mayor of Gifford four years after it was incorporated in 1972, and under his thirty-seven year tenure as mayor, the town built and implemented a water and sewer system, created a fire department, built a fire station, acquired three fire trucks, obtained use of the "Hanna House" and a grant to restore the building, obtained a grant to purchase a truck, tractor, and police cruiser, purchased an emergency generator for water and sewer, and obtained street lights and Christmas lights; and

 

Whereas, Mayor Risher also promoted and expanded the Sixth of June festival, or "Junefest", which had its origins in a daylong festival known as "Family Day Picnic" that was established in 1896 by the deacons and a pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church to give thanks for a successful agricultural planting season; and

 

Whereas, Junefest also commemorates the day that many believe news of the Emancipation Proclamation first reached the citizens of Gifford; and

 

Whereas, he served his community and State as a councilman for the Town of Gifford for eight years, a board member for Hampton School District Two for twelve years, president of the Hampton County NAACP for ten years, treasurer for the South Carolina Council of Black Mayors for ten years, and a board member for the National Black Mayors for twelve years; and

 

Whereas, he retired from Savannah River Plant after forty-two years of service and was a member of Free Masons Gifford Lodge #359; and

 

Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to recognize the many accomplishments of this great son of South Carolina by having a portion of highway in Hampton County named in his honor. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 321 in Hampton County from its intersection with South Carolina Highway 363 to the Hampton-Allendale County line the "Honorable James Risher, Sr. Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate markers or signs along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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