COLUMBIA -- At 11 a.m. April 26, the South Carolina Senate honored Bishop Preston W. Williams II, presiding prelate of the more than 600 AME churches throughout South Carolina, for his outstanding work with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

In the Senate chambers of the Statehouse, Williams was presented with a Senate Resolution recognizing him for his outstanding leadership in partnering the AME Church with the S.C. DJJ, as well as his achievements as a husband, father, bishop of the South Carolina AME Church, and president of the Council of AME Bishops.

William Byars Jr., director of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, along with a several members of the AME clergy and laity, were in attendance to congratulate Williams.

In 2005, through a partnership between the AME Church and the Department of Social Services, Williams provided thousands of free, state-sponsored lunches to underprivileged children throughout South Carolina. Additionally, Williams and S.C. Rep. Carl Anderson successfully lobbied for the passage of the Teen Mentoring Program, which provides financial assistance to teens tutoring younger children.

In 2005, Williams also signed the historic partnership agreement between DJJ and the District AME Church, which has highlights the following:

* Nearly half of all DJJ volunteer Auxiliary Probation Officers statewide are members of the AME Church.

* Of the 18 DJJ Afterschool sites, three are located in AME churches with two more on the drawing board.

* Williams has assisted with the raising of money for the Friends of Juvenile Justice and has made the largest faith-based financial contribution to FJJ projects.

* Working in partnership with the DJJ, DSS and other agencies, Williams is sponsoring Whole Person Health Day on May 5 in 17 different locations statewide.

Senate Resolution

"To recognize and honor Bishop Preston Warren Williams II on his service as President of the Global Council of Bishops, and to wish him much success and happiness in his future endeavors.

"Whereas, Bishop Preston Warren Williams II is serving as the president of the Global Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and presiding bishop of the Seventh Episcopal District, with dignity, excellence and dedication; and whereas, striving to achieve his goal of empowering the lives of the citizens of South Carolina, Bishop Williams has been instrumental in developing new initiatives to better the lives of his congregations; and whereas, insistent that the church reach out to its surrounding community, Bishop Williams has forged new partnerships with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the friends of the Juvenile Justice Foundation, and others to minister to the spiritual, emotional, and environmental needs of youth and families throughout the state; and whereas, under his inspiring vision and leadership, other members of the Annual Conference also have directly influenced their own communities in mentoring at-risk youth, visiting juvenile correction facilities, schools, community service organizations, and other entities; and whereas, forging a relationship among elected officials and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Williams has opened lines of communication between church and community leaders; and whereas, a devoted family man, Bishop Williams is married to Wilma Delores Webb Williams and is adored by his four children; and whereas, the Senate commends Bishop Williams for the immeasurable contributions he has made throughout South Carolina, and throughout the world on behalf of South Carolina. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate that the members of the Senate of the state of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor Bishop Preston Warren Williams II for his service as President of the Global Council of Bishops, and wish him much success in his future endeavors."

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