Journal of the House of Representatives
of the First Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 10, 1995

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| Printed Page 10, Dec. 6, 1994 | Printed Page 30, Dec. 6, 1994 |
Printed Page 20 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
the emphasis is there to make it go forward. And that is all that I can say that I can do. By way of introduction to those of you that don't know me, I am beginning my fifth consecutive term representing Sumter County, District 68. During my third term, I was House Democratic Caucus Chairman. But, as I said, I have led bi-partisan coalition to meaningful legislation and that is what I want to do. What I want to do is to challenge you to accomplish the things that you were elected for. As I told you in the letter and I am not looking for any extra money and I know Mr. Hodges and Mr. Haskins but the Speaker Pro Tempore has $3600 and usually has a staff. That is an asset that needs to be put to work for you to push the issues that your constituents want. I firmly believe that the mood in our State is for more input by citizens, for changing institutions that are not working like they are supposed to, for a government that does things that make sense. I want to challenge you as House members to address these issues that citizens want addressed and to do it better in less time and to have a plan to do these things. We should be prepared to pass a well-conceived welfare reform bill, significant criminal law reforms and tax relief before we send the Appropriations Bill to the Senate of this State. I am not saying to pass these bills as they were passed or introduced last year, let's just build on that. If we do that and get the information out, we ought to have these bills to the Senate very promptly. I am and have been for term limits. This is a relatively simple issue and one that we could resolve in thirty days if we work and put our minds to it. After all, whether you agree philosophically with term limits or not, you can't dispute the fact that a wide majority of your constituents believe in term limits. I know that I was late getting involved in this race and I have not asked anyone for a commitment, only your honest consideration. I believe you know that I have pinpointed in my letter important issues that need to be debated and resolved. I will go one step farther. If you and I do just half of what I have proposed, I believe any member of this House of any party will have a dynamite platform for reelection. Maybe you can't change commitments that you made before you knew who was running. Maybe you will vote for someone who has not told you what he stands for and what he plans to do. Maybe this was a hopeless effort from the beginning, but I persist because I believe in the power of ideas, and win or lose, I believe this effort may push each one of you to maybe take control of the House and let's get these things passed quickly. Let's do and think about our neighbors first. I commit to you that if you elect me as your Speaker Pro Tem, I am not going to be bi-partisan. I will be non-partisan because the issues that I have addressed and put forth for you and the issues that the
Printed Page 21 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
Speaker has mentioned, are issues that defy partisanship and defy parties. The Speaker Pro Tempore has only one duty and that is to preside in the absence of the Speaker. We all hope that our new Speaker will have wonderful health and therefore, the Speaker Pro Tem has plenty of time to be about your business. That is my commitment to you. Thank you."


Rep. HODGES withdrew himself as a candidate.

On motion of Rep. HUFF, nominations were closed.


The Temporary Reading Clerk called the roll of the House and the Members voted viva voce as their names were called.


The following named Representatives voted for Rep. HASKINS:

Allison          Anderson         Bailey
Brown, H.        Cain             Carnell
Cato             Chamblee         Clyburn
Cooper           Cotty            Cromer
Dantzler         Davenport        Easterday
Fair             Felder           Fleming
Fulmer           Gamble           Govan
Hallman          Harrell          Harris, J.
Harris, P.       Harrison         Haskins
Herdklotz        Huff             Hutson
Jaskwhich        Keegan           Kelley
Kennedy          Kinon            Klauber
Knotts           Koon             Lanford
Law              Limbaugh         Limehouse
Littlejohn       Marchbanks       Mason
McAbee           McKay            McMahand
Meacham          Quinn            Rhoad
Rice             Richardson       Riser
Robinson         Sandifer         Seithel
Sharpe           Shissias         Simrill
Smith, D.        Smith, R.        Stoddard
Stuart           Thomas           Townsend
Tripp            Trotter          Vaughn
Waldrop          Walker           Wells
Whatley          White            Wilkins

Printed Page 22 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
Witherspoon      Wofford          Worley
Wright           Young, A.        Young, J.
Total--81


The following named Representatives voted for Rep. McELVEEN:

Askins           Baxley           Breeland
Brown, G.        Byrd             Canty
Cave             Cobb-Hunter      Delleney
Harvin           Hines            Hodges
Howard           Inabinett        Jennings
Keyserling       Kirsh            Lloyd
McCraw           McElveen         McTeer
Moody-Lawrence   Neal             Neilson
Phillips         Rogers           Scott
Sheheen          Spearman         Stille
Tucker           Whipper, L.      Whipper, S.
Wilder           Wilkes           Williams
Total--36

RECAPITULATION

During the Recapitulation, Rep. McELVEEN, with unanimous consent, withdrew his name as a candidate.

On motion of Rep. McELVEEN, nominations were closed and, with unanimous consent, the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.


The SPEAKER appointed Reps. D. SMITH, TUCKER and A. YOUNG to escort the SPEAKER Pro Tempore-elect to the desk where the oath of office was administered unto him by the SPEAKER.


SPEAKER Pro Tempore HASKINS thereupon took the Chair and addressed the House as follows:

"I am dumbfounded...I did not prepare a speech for today. But, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Governor, Mr. Hodges, Mr. McElveen, Mr. Scott, Mr. Cooper, and the honorable members of this Body, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the honor that you have given me today. And I pledge to you that over the next two years that I will work to be fair in carrying out the duties of this position, working with all the members of this House. I would like to say just a couple of words about some people

Printed Page 23 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
who are very special and have meant a lot to me. My wife, Gloria and our three boys, David, Bryan and Hayden, could not be with us today. My wife is expecting another child and the doctor has advised her against traveling. But, I did speak with them last evening, and my sons really wanted to be here today and I told Gloria that it was just as well because they didn't need to see me lose. My ten year old son Bryan wanted to tell me that he wanted to be here, because if I won, they wanted to celebrate with me, and if I lost, he wanted me to know that they would still love me anyway. And when it comes down to it, that is really more important than anything we are doing here because our families, our loved ones back home, that is the reason we are here. That is the reason we give of our time, each member in this Body to serve the people of this State. It is for the future of our children and that is what is most important. Speaker Sheheen...when I came to the Body, you became the Speaker and I want to thank you for the eight years that you served as Speaker and for bringing this Chamber to a position of high honor in this State. You led us through a difficult period four years ago and took us out with honor. I appreciate that and I applaud you for it. You have not always had my vote, but you have always had my respect and my friendship. I thank you for your service as Speaker of the House. Speaker Wilkins...I congratulate you and applaud you for the service you have given this House and as we look forward to the next few years, I know that you are perfectly suited to lead this House into the future. The vision that you have set forth today, where you want to take this Body and what you want to do as Speaker for the people of South Carolina, I think is the correct course and I look forward to working with you in assisting you in carrying out your duties in any way I can in promoting the good for the people in this State and the future of South Carolina. I believe that the course that Speaker Wilkins has set forth today, property tax reform, sentencing, truth in sentencing and the other items that he outlined is the direction that the people of South Carolina want this State to go. But, we have all got to work together to get there. I have sensed today that there is a spirit of cooperation here regardless of what the media may want to try to portray. We have all been elected by the people of South Carolina to serve all the people and I foresee a great deal of cooperation in working towards that end. I promise every member that I will work fairly, honestly and openly with each and every member of this Body to promote the integrity and honor of this institution. The honor that each of us has been given by the people in our district to serve here cannot be taken lightly, but must be held in high regard by every member here. It is a sacred honor, an honor of sacred trust and I know as I look out that the people of this State have
Printed Page 24 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
chosen their leaders wisely and I know that the next two years, as we set the course for the conclusion of the 20th century and the beginning of the new century, that the people in this Chamber are prepared and are dedicated to promoting a bright future for all the people of South Carolina. I thank you again for the tremendous honor you have given me and I pledge that I will do my part to see to it that we succeed. Thank you."

ELECTION OF THE CLERK

The SPEAKER announced that nominations were in order for Clerk of the House.

Rep. P. HARRIS nominated Mrs. Sandra K. McKinney of Columbia as follows:

"I want to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, on your election to the House and as Speaker. You had made reference to the robe and the robe is designed to dignify the Speaker. In this case, the wearer will dignify the robe and I welcome you as the leader of this Body. Mr. Haskins, I congratulate you on your election as Speaker Pro Tempore. Governor Campbell, Governor-Elect Beasley, and former Speaker Sheheen, I have served in the House with all of you and I have the highest regard for you. But, at this time, I want to place in nomination, and this gives me great personal pleasure, I think most of you know the lady that I plan to nominate. I will tell you a little bit about her. Sandy, we all call her Sandy, and I would like to nominate at this time for the office of Clerk of the House of Representatives, Sandra K. McKinney. She is a native of Columbia. She received her Bachelor Degree in Office Administration from the University of South Carolina. In 1986-87 she was Alumna of the Year in the Office Administration Department. Sandy has worked in state government since 1971. She was first employed as committee secretary for Rules and Ethics Committee, and I was serving on the Committee at that time. She also worked for the Speaker Pro Tempore for the House. In 1973, she accepted the position as Executive Secretary to the Speaker of the House and served in that capacity until 1988. Sandy was elected Clerk in 1988 and assumed office on June 29, 1988. She was reelected December 6, 1988 and has served continuously since. Again, it is my great pride and pleasure to place in nomination for Clerk of the House, the name of Mrs. Sandra McKinney. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

Printed Page 25 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
On motion of Rep. A. YOUNG, nominations were closed and, with unanimous consent, the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.

The oath of office was administered unto her by the SPEAKER.

ELECTION OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS

The SPEAKER announced that nominations were in order for Sergeant at Arms.

Rep. LANFORD nominated Mr. Mitchell Dorman of Kershaw as follows:

"Speaker Wilkins and fellow members... Speaker Pro Tempore Haskins... members of the desk and guests... It is with great pleasure for me to nominate a true friend of mine. I asked Mitch Dorman to give me a list of a few things of honorable mention that I could say about him and I have tucked them away in my cast. I have got them. When Carole said we only had three minutes, I realized there were just a few things that I could say about Mitch. Mitch is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Academy. He first went to work as Assistant Director of Security in 1986 and served until 1991. In 1991, he was elected Sergeant At Arms and has served in that capacity since. Mitch has a wonderful family and a crazy dad, Harold, and how Teal puts up with him we don't know. The most positive belief that credits Mitch is his wife, Leah, a beautiful Spartanburg County girl. It is with great pleasure that I put in nomination the name of Mitch Dorman for Sergeant at Arms."


Rep. J. BROWN seconded the nomination of Mr. Dorman.

On motion of Rep. MARCHBANKS, nominations were closed and, with unanimous consent, the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.

ELECTION OF THE CHAPLAIN

The SPEAKER announced that nominations were in order for Chaplain.

Rep. WALDROP nominated the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark of Little Mountain as follows:

"Mr. Speaker, this won't take long because I think everybody knows him. He had our prayer this morning and I think everybody needs one. Dr. Alton C. Clark has served since 1965 as Chaplain and he also lives in Little Mountain and that is in Newberry County for all of you folks that come through there and get caught speeding. Blame it on him, not me please. He has a degree from Newberry College and he has served 24

Printed Page 26 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
years as Chaplain of the South Carolina National Guard. I place him in nomination the name of Dr. Alton C. Clark as Chaplain."


Rep. J. BROWN seconded the nomination of Dr. Clark.

On motion of Rep. WRIGHT, nominations were closed and with unanimous consent, the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.

ELECTION OF THE READING CLERK

The SPEAKER announced that nominations were in order for Reading Clerk.

Rep. LITTLEJOHN nominated Mr. Danny Bruce as follows:

"Mr. Speaker, fellow House members... it is my privilege to nominate a former House member who has served as our Reading Clerk for the last two years and as our next Reading Clerk for two more years. Danny is a former seatmate of mine from 1988-92. He served from 1975-85. He is a graduate of Spartanburg Junior College, which I am a graduate, and a graduate of Western Carolina University, which I am a graduate. He was my former seatmate and I place him in nomination for Reading Clerk, which we will desperately need the next two years. We couldn't get any business done without him. Danny has served this State well for the past 20 years. He lives with his wife, Lazetta and Danny, Jr. in the foothills of South Carolina on his farm. He raises peaches and apples and he has served this State well and I place his name in nomination for our Reading Clerk."


On motion of Rep. WALKER, nominations were closed and, with unanimous consent, the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.

OFFICERS SWORN IN

The SPEAKER administered the oath of office unto the Sergeant at Arms, Mitchell Dorman; the Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark; and Mr. Danny Bruce, the Reading Clerk.

H. 3000--ADOPTED

The following was introduced:


H. 3000 -- Reps. McTeer and Wilkins: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR ALLOTTING SEATS TO MEMBERS

Printed Page 27 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 1995 AND 1996 SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That for the purposes of allotting seats to members of the House of Representatives for the 1995 and 1996 sessions of the General Assembly the following procedure be adopted:

"As soon as practicable, after the House has been organized, the seats of the members must be allotted as follows:

The Clerk shall prepare a ballot for each county with only its name printed on it. These must be put in a closed box. The Speaker shall then direct a person or persons to draw them out, one by one. As each ballot is drawn, the delegation from that county shall select their seats, in accordance with the county in which the member resides. In the event a member's district consists of more than one county, the member may elect to be seated with the delegation the member desires, provided the member indicates the preference to the Clerk of the House prior to balloting. No delegation may select more than one seat on the main aisle."

Be it further resolved that when the House adopts its rules for the 1995 and 1996 sessions, they shall incorporate the above provision as part of the House rules with an appropriate numerical designation.


The Resolution was adopted.

ALLOTMENT OF SEATS

The SPEAKER then announced that the House would proceed to the allotment of seats, the names of the counties being drawn from a container by Rep. CARNELL.

On motion of Rep. CARNELL, Seat No. 1 was assigned to Rep. RON FLEMING.

ALLOTMENT OF SEATS

Allison           33     Law. . . . .83
Anderson          41     Limbaugh. . . . .30
Askins            17     Limehouse. . . . .42
Bailey            86     Littlejohn. . . . .44
Baxley           105     Lloyd. . . . .76
Beatty            34     Marchbanks. . . . .23
Boan              48     Martin. . . . .113
Breeland          40     Mason. . . . .19
Brown, G.         46     McAbee. . . . .68
Brown, H.         84     McCraw. . . . .57

Printed Page 28 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
Brown, J.         62     McElveen. . . . .97
Brown, T.        106     McKay. . . . .31
Byrd              63     McMahand. . . . .39
Cain              51     McTeer. . . . .94
Canty             96     Meacham. . . . .4
Carnell           69     Moody-Lawrence. . . . .88
Cato              27     Neal. . . . .65
Cave              99     Neilson. . . . .15
Chamblee          78     Phillips. . . . .56
Clyburn           18     Quinn. . . . .116
Cobb-Hunter       80     Rhoad. . . . .36
Cooper            79     Rice. . . . .20
Cotty            119     Richardson. . . . .93
Cromer           102     Riser. . . . .123
Dantzler          82     Robinson. . . . .21
Davenport         35     Rogers. . . . .75
Delleney         100     Sandifer. . . . .50
Easterday          9     Scott. . . . .64
Elliott           37     Seithel. . . . .53
Fair               8     Sharpe. . . . .3
Felder             2     Sheheen. . . . .101
Fleming            1     Shissias. . . . .120
Fulmer            59     Simrill. . . . .5
Gamble           110     Smith, D.. . . . .60
Govan             81     Smith, R.. . . . .13
Hallman           58     Spearman. . . . .16
Harrell           43     Stille. . . . .72
Harris, J.       115     Stoddard. . . . .6
Harris, P.        66     Stuart. . . . .103
Harrison         117     Thomas. . . . .112
Harvin            91     Townsend. . . . .73
Harwell           29     Tripp. . . . .26
Haskins           11     Trotter. . . . .22
Herdklotz         25     Tucker. . . . .67
Hines             14     Vaughn. . . . .10
Hodges            49     Waldrop. . . . .38
Howard            74     Walker. . . . .45
Huff              12     Wells. . . . .32
Hutson           114     Whatley. . . . .52
Inabinett         77     Whipper, L.. . . . .55
Jaskwhich         24     Whipper, S.. . . . .54

Printed Page 29 . . . . . Tuesday, December 6, 1994
Jennings         104     White. . . . .98
Keegan           109     Wilder. . . . .7
Kelley           108     Wilkes. . . . .47
Kennedy           90     Williams. . . . .70
Keyserling        92     Witherspoon. . . . .124
Kinon             28     Wofford. . . . .85
Kirsh             89     Worley. . . . .95
Klauber           71     Wright. . . . .122
Knotts           121     Young, A.. . . . .87
Koon             111     Young, J.. . . . .107
Lanford           61


Rep. HASKINS moved that the House recede until 4:00 P.M., which was adopted.

THE HOUSE RESUMES

At 4:00 P.M. the House resumed, the SPEAKER in the Chair.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. MOODY-LAWRENCE a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

H. 3001--ADOPTED

The following was introduced:


H. 3001 -- Reps. McTeer and Wilkins: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 1995 AND 1996 SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the following rules are adopted as the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 1995 and 1996 Sessions of the General Assembly:

"RULE 1

THE SPEAKER

SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

1.1 The Speaker shall take the chair on every legislative day precisely at the hour to which the House adjourned at the last sitting, immediately call the members to order, cause prayer to be said, the Journal of the previous proceedings to be corrected, and if a quorum be present, proceed to other business.

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