South Carolina S 797: Sexually Violent Predators Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 797 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 13, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 797

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Juanita Therese Brown Hartley Bryson 
ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY 
CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina Senate is delighted to learn that Juanita Therese Brown Hartley Bryson 
of Richland County was honored on July 26, 2025, for the celebration of her one 
hundredth birthday; and 

Whereas, born on July 
23, 1925, in the first quarter of the twentieth century, she has witnessed the 
many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international 
developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the first quarter 
of the twenty-first century; and 

Whereas, the first 
child of William "Junior" and Annie "Blossom" Green Brown, Juanita was reared 
in the Taylors Community of Columbia and commenced her early childhood 
education in the primer at Taylor's School. She enjoyed spending her early 
years close to the State Fairgrounds with her maternal grandparents, Papa Ben 
and Grandma Rosa, who watched after her while her mother taught; and

Whereas, during those 
years, her father continued to work on a large family estate in Saluda County, 
but he desired for his family to be together in one location, as it was at that 
time a long, difficult journey between Columbia and Saluda due to the poor 
roads; and

Whereas, Juanita 
transferred to Batesburg-Leesville schools where she completed her K-11 
education before schools switched to K-12 education, and instead of walking a 
half mile to schools in Columbia, she had to walk five miles each way in the 
country; and

Whereas, as a young 
child, Juanita assisted with the care of her seven younger siblings: sisters 
Audrey, Lovie, Zenobia, Delaine, Evaughn, and Helen, and brother Charles. After 
high school, she married Matthew Hartley Sr., and they were blessed with nine children: 
sons James, Matthew Jr., John, Christopher, Vinson, and Vernon, and daughters 
Shirley, Alice, and Sandra; and

Whereas, Mrs. Hartley 
was known for her keen cooking skills, especially baking wedding cakes and her 
homecooked meals for anyone stopping by her home at a moment's notice. She 
worked at numerous jobs, including as a domestic worker, seamstress, an 
employee at Garber's Clothing store, a factory worker at Knight's Industries, 
and an employee at Harris Shealy Furniture Company. She also served for many 
years as a case worker with the Lexington County Department of Social Services 
(DSS); and 

Whereas, Mrs. Hartley returned 
to live in Columbia in 1977 on her late maternal grandparent's land in the 
Taylors community, and she retired from DSS in 1983. After retiring, she 
married Ezell Bryson and was blessed with a bonus daughter, Ella Dean Wider; a 
grandson, Gary Wider; and a bonus niece, Barbara Suber, all of whom she enjoyed 
over the years; and

Whereas, she was 
delighted in all of her fine children: all six of her sons served in various 
branches of the military, and her daughters and bonus daughter held jobs in 
careers, such as teaching, ministry, and state and local government. She has 
been blessed to see the continuation of her loving family legacy in over one 
hundred grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately call her 
MommaNita; and

Whereas, living by the Golden 
Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," Mrs. Bryson 
regularly attended churches throughout her life and is now a member of Second 
Union Baptist Church in Columbia. She enjoyed travel across the United States 
and abroad and loves to read; and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina 
at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday and join with her family and 
friends in congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the 
South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 
congratulate Juanita Therese Brown Hartley Bryson on the occasion of her one 
hundredth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of 
continued health and happiness. 

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be provided to Juanita Therese Brown Hartley 
Bryson. 

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