South Carolina H 5669: Sympathy Mr. Calvin Wright

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5669 Text of Previous Version (May. 07, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5669

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

to remember and honor the life of Mr. Calvin Wright 
and to express the profound sorrow of the members of the South Carolina House 
of Representatives to his loving family and many friends upon his passing.

Whereas, Mr. Calvin 
Wright was born on October 31, 1946, in Orangeburg and departed this life on 
April 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family; and

Whereas, a 1965 graduate 
of Wilkinson High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from 
South Carolina State University, which later recognized him as a Distinguished 
Alumnus; and

Whereas, as a young man 
he actively participated in the Orangeburg civil rights movement, advocating 
for voting rights and social justice, and being arrested and jailed a dozen 
times. He also served in leadership roles within the state NAACP Youth 
Conference and was recognized by the American Friends Service Committee for his 
work with the Voter Education Project in 1964. These experiences sealed his 
lifelong commitment to social justice; and

Whereas, he honorably 
served his country in the United States Army, attaining the rank of sergeant in 
less than ten months. Deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he was honored with a 
Certificate of Military Combat by the 18th Military Police Brigade, 93rd 
Military Police Company; and

Whereas, he dedicated 
his professional life to uplifting underserved communities through his work 
with the Orangeburg Area Committee for Economic Progress, now known as the Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg 
Community Action Agency, Inc. (OCAB) During his remarkable forty-eight-year 
tenure, he transformed the organization into a pillar of hope and progress 
throughout the region. Under his leadership, OCAB became more than an agency; 
it evolved into a lifeline for families facing economic hardship, a voice for 
the voiceless, and a catalyst for sustainable change across Orangeburg, 
Calhoun, Allendale, and Bamberg counties; and

Whereas, he held 
numerous leadership roles in state and local organizations where he advocated 
for community action, public health, and education. He founded the SC 
Association of Community Action Partnerships, Inc. and served on the board, was 
a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and for ten years served as 
Commander of Post 8166, served on the board of directors of the Family Health 
Centers, Inc. and on Claflin University's Board of Visitors; and

Whereas, his lifelong 
commitment to service earned him numerous honors and recognitions, including 
national and state awards for community service, civil rights advocacy, and 
leadership. In 2001, Mr. Wright was named a "Hero" by the SC Year of the Child 
for his exceptional dedication to the well-being of children in the State. In 
2005, he was included in the 2005 Library of Congress exhibition, "Voices of 
Civil Rights." And in 2024, he was awarded the Joe Biden Presidential Lifetime 
Achievement Award, among others; and

Whereas, Mr. Calvin 
Wright attended New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Orangeburg and was a devoted 
husband, father, grandfather, and beloved family member. He leaves to cherish 
his memory his devoted wife, Tonya Steward Wright; his daughters, Tyese Wright 
and Chelsea Steward; and his granddaughter, Maya Wright; his sisters, Betty 
(David) Smith and Glorious (Willie Clay) Hampton; his brothers, Whitaker Wright 
and Charles (Faye) Wright; and a host of extended family members and friends; 
and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives honor and celebrate the life of Mr. 
Calvin Wright for his unwavering commitment to justice, community empowerment, 
and public service and know that his legacy will continue to inspire future 
generations to serve with integrity, compassion, and dedication. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, remember and honor the life of Mr. Calvin Wright and 
express their profound sorrow to his loving family and many friends upon his 
passing.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Calvin Wright.

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This web page was last updated on May 07, 2026 at 11:25 AM