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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E409-E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. WILLIAM P. DIGGS
______
HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 1, 2020
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great
man of faith and a true community servant. Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs,
Sr. Dr. Diggs transitioned in Florence, South Carolina on April 25,
2020. Although he is no longer with us in person, his legacy lives on
through his tremendous work.
William Diggs, Sr. was born in Columbia, South Carolina and grew up
in Rock Hill. He earned his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College
and a Master's from Atlanta University. He found his calling in the
ministry and earned a Master of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester
Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological
Seminary in Chicago.
He began his career in his hometown of Rock Hill, where he served as
an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Friendship Junior College. While
there, he helped students organize a sit-in that launched the Jail No
Bail movement in 1960.
In 1962, Rev. Dr. Diggs joined Trinity Baptist Church in Florence,
South Carolina, where he served as head pastor for 50 years before
retiring in 2012. He left his imprint on the church through several
initiatives. Under his supervision, the church parsonage was completed
in 1964, the church property was expanded, and many additions and
improvements were made to the complex over his tenure. He also added a
fully accredited preschool and chartered a federal credit union.
[[Page E410]]
Beyond the church's physical plant, Rev. Dr. Diggs also oversaw the
purchase of commercial property that provide business opportunities in
the community like barber and beauty shops and a restaurant.
During his time as a faith leader, he also served in many secular
capacities. He taught at Benedict College in Columbia and Morris
College in Sumter. Rev. Dr. Diggs also served as President of the
Florence Branch of the NAACP and was a poweeful voice for social
justice. He was a calming presence during the 1975 riots that erupted
in Florence after a police officer shot a black man during a traffic
stop.
Rev. Dr. Diggs served as a board member of Friendship, Benedict and
Morris colleges, Morehouse School of Religion, the Interdenominational
Theological Center, Nannie Helen Burroughs School, the Greater Florence
Habitat for Humanity, and the Florence Mayor's Human Relations
Committee.
He was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the
Palmetto. In addition, he was named to the South Carolina Black Hall of
Fame and was recognized in the South Carolina African American History
Calendar.
Rev. Dr. Diggs was married to the former, Clotilda Daniels, and the
couple has two adult children, William, Jr. and Mary Lynn, who managed
my campaign for South Carolina Secretary of State. They have one
grandson, William, III.
Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating
the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs, Sr. I considered him
both a political and religious mentor, who taught us all ``to do
justly, be merciful and walk humbly'' as instructed in Micah 6:8. He
will be sorely missed.
____________________
