-9999
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated community servant. Brian DeQuincy Newman was called too soon to his heavenly home on January 3, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout his life, his bright spirit and brilliant mind was beloved and will be sorely missed.
Brian Newman was born on December 22, 1982 in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended Spring Valley High School, where he excelled in basketball and found an early passion for public service with his role on the student council. He graduated from Spring Valley in 2001, and went on to pursue further education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia on a full academic scholarship. He graduated Cum Laude in 2005 after completing a course of study in Business Administration.
The same year, Brian enrolled in the University of South Carolina School of Law. In 2008, he graduated with his Juris Doctorate and passed the bar exam. At the beginning of his legal career, Brian worked for the Fifth Circuit Solicitors Office in Columbia, South Carolina as assistant Solicitor. He then worked for Rikard and Protopapas, LLC before going into private practice.
In 2010, Brian was elected to the Columbia City Council, where he became the youngest person ever elected to serve in the role at 26 years old. He quickly found his stride and immersed himself in service to the city of Columbia, making essential contributions to the life of city residents by championing projects like the COMET bus system and the Edgewood and Bull Street Developments. He served as the Chair of the City's Committees on Public Safety and Budget and Finances, and as a representative on the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors. Brian also occasionally served as Mayor Pro Tempore. He remained on the council until 2015.
Brian was a man of God and was a charter member of I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist Church. He was inspired to lead a life that would make his Great Uncle, civil rights leader I. DeQuincey Newman, proud. He is remembered by his parents, Clifton and Patricia Newman, his brother, Corwyn and sisters, Jocelyn and Kellee.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating the impactful life of Brian DeQuincy Newman. In his short time with us, he brought light into the lives of all who knew him. We will miss him and remember him fondly.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source