South Carolina H 5143: Freedom of Information Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5143 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 11, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5143

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND 
HONOR ESSIE M. RICHARDS FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY AND FOR THE 
EXAMPLE OF A LIFE WELL SPENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS.

Whereas, it is fitting 
and proper for the House of Representatives to pause in its deliberations to 
commend the community service of Essie Richards. Born in White Hall, Colleton 
County, on January 10, 1926, Ms. Richards is the seventh of twelve children 
born to Elijah and Laura Richards; and

Whereas, reared in a 
loving Christian home, she was converted at an early age and joined Jerusalem 
African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of White Hall in 1937. After she 
moved to Savannah, Georgia, she united with Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church, where 
she served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, church 
secretary, trustee, president of the Lay Organization, president of the Flower 
Club, and a member of the Senior Choir and of the Missionary Society; and

Whereas, in 1986, Ms. 
Richards transferred her membership to Julia Fountain A.M.E. Church where she 
continued to serve in the same auxiliaries with distinction. In 2005, she 
returned to Jerusalem A.M.E., now White Hall A.M.E., and was appointed to the 
Steward Board; and

Whereas, she attended Pyne 
Elementary School in Green Pond, SC and later at Beach-Cuyler Junior and Senior 
High schools in Savannah, Georgia, where she ranked in the top ten of her 1945 
graduating class. She received a scholarship to attend Fort Valley State 
College and earned a master's degree in cosmetology in 1954 from Madame B. 
Freeman's School of Cosmetology; and

Whereas, Ms. Richards 
was employed by the United States Air Force and then the United States Army as 
an office manager, retiring after thirty-five years of service. Because of her 
integrity, professionalism, and dedication, her service as office manager was 
highly respected; and

Whereas, she was widely 
known for her community activism and leadership in the Carver Heights Community. 
She served as community president for twenty-three years and also as community 
secretary and was a transformative force in making Carver Heights a thriving 
historic neighborhood. In 1994, she oversaw the groundbreaking of Carver 
Heights Community Center; and

Whereas, Ms. Richards 
played pivotal roles in such community programs as Neighborhood Watch/ National 
Night Out; senior citizen programs; Meals on Wheels; World Changers home repair 
projects; block grant partnerships; historic research initiatives; youth 
development and support of the Carver Heights Stallions; community 
beautification, "House of the Month," and block captain programs; and

Whereas, her decades of 
service earned extensive recognition from churches, civic organizations, and 
local and state officials, such as the Block Grant Award in 1995, Environmental 
Justice Pioneer Award in 1995, National Exchange Club membership and leadership 
honors, Resident Leadership Training and Community Development certifications, 
volunteer appreciation awards for senior and youth service, Retired Senior 
Volunteer Program Appreciation Award, and multiple certificates of appreciation 
from the City of Savannah and community agencies; and

Whereas, Ms. Richards 
is the mother of one fine son, Elijah Richards, who has blessed her with two loving 
grandchildren, Lance Richards and Kimya R. Smith. She has been pleased to see 
the continuation of her family legacy in three great-grandchildren: Christian 
Smith, Jordon Smith, and Ciara Richards; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives values individuals who labor for the 
well-being of their communities, like Essie Richards, and the members wish her 
a belated one hundredth birthday and many more years of continued health and 
prosperity. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Essie M. Richards for a lifetime of 
service to her community and for the example of a life well spent for the 
benefit of others.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Essie M. Richards.

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