South Carolina Legislature Mobile

District 39 (Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester & Orangeburg Counties)

Democrat - Orangeburg

Columbia Address

613 Gressette Bldg.
Columbia, 29201

Business Phone: (803) 212-6056

Home Address

P.O. Box 142
Columbia, 29202

Home Phone: (803) 829-2383

Committee Assignments

• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Banking and Insurance
• Corrections and Penology
• Education
• Ethics
• Finance
• Interstate Cooperation

Sponsored Bills in the Senate

Primary Sponsor:  Yes   No
Search Session: 2013-2014 (120)2011-2012 (119)2009-2010 (118)2007-2008 (117)2005-2006 (116)2003-2004 (115)2001-2002 (114)1999-2000 (113)1997-1998 (112)1995-1996 (111)1993-1994 (110)1991-1992 (109)1989-1990 (108)1987-1988 (107)1985-1986 (106)

Sponsored Bills in the House

Primary Sponsor:  Yes   No
Search Session: 1983-1984 (105)1981-1982 (104)1979-1980 (103)1977-1978 (102)1975-1976 (101)

Voting Record

Search Session: 2013-2014 (120) 2011-2012 (119)

Service In Public Office

• House of Representatives, 1975 - 1984
• Senate, 1985 - Present

Personal Information

• Businessman/Retired Elementary School Principal
• Residing in Bowman, R-1
• Born April 21, 1940 in Bowman
• Son of the late John Wesley, Sr. and the late Victoria (Williams) Matthews
• Graduate of South Carolina State College
• Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, 1970-71
• Lincoln Elec. Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, 1972
• Honorary Ph.D., College of Charleston
• Honorary Ph.D., South Carolina State University
• February 5, 1961 married Geraldine Hillard, 5 children, Cynthia John, Michael Andre, Stephanie Renata, John Wesley III, and Brian DeReef
• Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
• Former Chairman, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
• Chairman, Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation
• Southern Regional Education Board
• Governor's Middle Grades Task Force
• Distinguished Alumni Award, South Carolina State University
• Orangeburg County Democrat of the Year
• Minority Business Advocate of the Year, United States Small Business Administration
• Induction in the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame
• South Carolina Primary Health Care Legislator of the Year
• Member, Pineville United Methodist Church