A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE CLEVELAND "CLEVE" BRYAN OF DAUFUSKIE ISLAND ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Cleveland "Cleve" Bryan of Daufuskie Island will celebrate his one hundredth birthday this month; and

 

Whereas, born on Daufuskie Island, Cleve Bryan came into this world on February 26, 1925, the son of Thomas and Georgia (Price) Bryan. One of six children, the young Cleve learned to hunt, fish, and farm at a very early age and first attended school in the African Union Baptist Church's Prayer House. Later, he was a student in the first class to attend Daufuskie's two-classroom Mary Field School, built by the WPA; and

 

Whereas, at age 17, he moved to Savannah, Georgia, and then to Tybee Island, Georgia, where he worked at a variety of jobs, including as a Savannah River longshoreman on a dredge boat; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bryan eventually returned to Daufuskie Island, but in 1946 he sold his oxen for $35 in order to buy a bus ticket to New York City to join his brother; and

 

Whereas, while in New York, Mr. Bryan met and married the love of his life, the late Deloris "Goldie" Clark, and they had two children, Cleveland Bryan Jr. and Donna Bryan, both of whom still reside in New York City; and

 

Whereas, in the early 1960s, Mr. Bryan went to work for the New York City Police Department and there spent approximately twenty years providing valuable services to the department, most especially as a sheet metal worker; and

 

Whereas, Cleve Bryan lived a full life in New York City, always working hard but also keeping himself fit by lifting weights, boxing, and cycling in Central Park and beyond. His lifelong love of music drove him to attend concerts by such jazz legends as Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. He also attended many professional fights featuring boxing greats, including Joe Lewis and Mohammed Ali (then Cassius Clay); and

 

Whereas, in 1982, Mr. Bryan retired and, along with Mrs. Bryan, returned to Daufuskie Island, where he still lives in Daufuskie's historic district; and

 

Whereas, Cleve Bryan continues to live independently and produces useful items using his sheet metal skills. Further, he creates beautiful wood carvings, including several that are displayed in the Daufuskie Island Museum, and he maintains a large collection of vintage records, tapes, and CDs showcasing the best of jazz and other genres, to which he listens on a daily basis; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bryan is a much-loved figure on Daufuskie Island, and he enjoys visits and calls from his many island friends, who are proud that he calls Daufuskie his home; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to honor Mr. Bryan at the celebration of his one hundredth birthday, and the members join with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this remarkable milestone. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Cleveland "Cleve" Bryan of Daufuskie Island on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Cleveland "Cleve" Bryan.

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