The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO WILLIE B. OWENS, SR.
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HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 12, 2022
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, highly respected educator and a longtime personal friend. Recently retired Orangeburg County Councilman Willie B. Owens, Sr. transitioned from this life on August 5, 2022. He has left an indelible mark on his community and all of those who were fortunate to know him.
Willie B. Owens, Sr. was born on November 8, 1938, in Branchville, South Carolina to the late Bennie C. Owens and Lillie Ruth Warren Owens. Willie B., as he was always affectionately known, graduated from Wilkinson High School in 1956. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1960 and a Master of Education Degree in 1966 from South Carolina State College. He went on to earn his E.D. from the Citadel and did further study at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
I knew Willie B. from our days together on the campus of South Carolina State where we both were active as students in campus activities and civil rights protests in Orangeburg County. He continued his activism throughout his life participating in voter registration drives and taking people to the polls to vote. He was also a Life Member of the NAACP, and always stood up against injustices.
Willie B. spent his professional career working in education. He began in the public schools serving as an agriculture teacher at Richard Carroll High School and Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School. He served as Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School's Director of Transportation and then Principal. He also had a stint as Director of the Future Farmers of America Camp in Orangeburg, and as Director of Vocational Programs for Bamberg School District One.
Willie B. went on to work in higher education. He held two different positions at Voorhees College, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the South Carolina Regional Community Development Corporation on the Denmark campus. He also served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration and Director for Professional and Continuing Studies at Claflin University .
In 2007, Willie B. was elected to the Orangeburg County Council to represent the citizens of District 7, a position he held for 15 years. He stepped down in June 2022, due to health concerns. Willie B. was a leader on the Council and an outspoken advocate for the people. His outstanding accomplishments were numerous. He led the effort to create a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. monument outside the Orangeburg County Courthouse. The monument serves to honor the great civil rights leader and County residents that have distinguished themselves in the areas of justice, community, government and first responders. The distinctive monument was unveiled in 2021 and was constructed using Capital Project Sales Tax funds. He also spearheaded the building of Whittaker Community Center, which was dedicated just 2-days before he retired from Council.
Willie B. was very active in the community. He was a member of the South Carolina Association for Community Developers, the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals, the South Carolina Task Force for the Study of School Incentive Programs, the South Carolina Department of Education Advance Placement Advisory Committee, and served as an Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Area Commissioner. Other leadership positions included President of South Carolina AA Athletic Association, Chairman of the Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, and Chairman of Orangeburg County Peoples Assault on Drugs. He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
His outstanding contributions were recognized by numerous awards including the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award in Education, the Excellence in Education Award, the Outstanding Service Award from Bamberg Job Corps, the Omega Man of the Year, the South Carolina Future Farmers of America Honorary Degree, the Outstanding Young Educator Award, the South Carolina Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Outstanding Presidential Award, and the Star Teacher of the Year Award.
Willie B. was a man of faith and became a member of McBranch Baptist Church in Branchville, South Carolina at an early age. He was married to Arminta Owens for 59 years. They have three sons, Willie B. Owens, Jr., Derrick Owens, and Greg Nell and two granddaughters.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Willie B. Owens, Sr. He spent his entire adult life serving Orangeburg County, South Carolina, and his contributions made a difference in countless lives. Many future generations will benefit from the leadership of Willie B., and that is a great testament to a life well lived.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 135(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 135(2)
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