A house RESOLUTION

 

to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Civil Rights Activist John Wesley Stroman OF Orangeburg COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of John Wesley Stroman at the age of eighty-one on Sunday, October 6, 2024; and

 

Whereas, born in Orangeburg on November 25, 1942, he was the son of Johnetta Maxwell and Moses Clay Stroman. As a toddler, he was taken to Savannah where he was reared by his maternal grandparents, John and Emma Maxwell; and

 

Whereas, young John was educated in the public schools of Savannah, Georgia, graduating from Beech High School in 1960. On St. Patrick's Day of that year, he became involved in the Civil Rights Movement when a white man pushed a black girl, and she struck back, jumping on him. Blacks and whites started fighting and disrupted the parade. Mr. Stroman was among the group of Blacks rounded up by the police, placed into a paddy wagon and taken to jail; and

 

Whereas, in 1963, he enrolled as a freshman at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg. At that time, the Civil Rights Movement was challenging the segregated society even more. In 1967, Stroman and two other students started the Student Action Committee, a civil rights organization, on the campus of South Carolina State. They were very instrumental in turning the wheels of justice at South Carolina State and in the State of South Carolina. Their movement, known as "The Cause," focused on grievances at South Carolina State College; and

 

Whereas, the most notable event of Mr. Stroman's collegiate life was the students' effort to integrate the All-Star Triangle bowling alley on Russell Street. On February 8, 1968, state police opened fire on a group of about 200 unarmed student protestors on the campus of South Carolina State. The Orangeburg Massacre claimed the lives of three students and caused injury to some twenty-eight others; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Stroman went on to graduate from South Carolina State where he earned a bachelor's degree in professional chemistry in 1969 and later, a master's degree in mathematics education in 1976. He enjoyed a twenty-nine-year career as a teacher of mathematics and chemistry at Edisto High and Elloree Elementary schools before going to Walterboro where he taught math at Colleton High School. He continued to remain active in civil rights and community events with memberships in the NAACP, the Concerned Citizens of District 96, and as a member of Masjid Taqwa, the Islamic Center and place of worship in Orangeburg; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Stroman's decades-long service to the Civil Rights Movement was honored in June 2010 as the Edisto Drive community renamed the old Blue Light Cafe as The John W. Stroman Senior Citizen Center. This became a location for seniors to congregate, enjoy activities, and serve as mentors to a younger population. The center has since been renamed The Edisto Drive Senior Citizens Center; and

 

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Mary Cox Stroman, he reared three fine children: Mossi Stroman of Orangeburg, Zakiyyah Stroman of Blythewood, and Khaleelah Stroman of Aiken. His children blessed him with the affections of five loving grandchildren: Zaiid, Khaleel, LeeLan, ZaLeeah, and Jaycceon; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of John W. Stroman and for the example of service and courage he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Civil Rights activist John Wesley Stroman of Orangeburg County and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Wesley Stroman.

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