H*4258 Session 112 (1997-1998)
H*4258 Concurrent Resolution, By Wilkins, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey,
Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, J.M. Baxley, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland,
G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, A.W. Byrd, Campsen, Canty, Carnell,
Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, J.L.M. Cromer,
Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, J.G. Felder, Fleming, Gamble,
Gourdine, Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins,
J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, J.H. Hodges, Howard, Inabinett, Jennings,
B.L. Jordan, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, M.H. Kinon, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon,
Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, L.H. Limbaugh, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis,
Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McKay, W. McLeod, McMahand, J.D. McMaster,
Miller, Moody-Lawrence, V.T. Mullen, J.H. Neal, Neilson, Parks, Phillips,
Pinckney, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Meacham, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer,
Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith,
D. Smith, Spearman, Stille, E.C. Stoddard, Stuart, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter,
Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Witherspoon, Woodrum,
Young-Brickell and W.J. Young
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO OUR ESTEEMED AND
LEGENDARY UNITED STATES SENATOR, THE HONORABLE STROM THURMOND, ON SURPASSING
ANOTHER LONGEVITY RECORD BY BECOMING THE LONGEST-SERVING SENATOR IN THE
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
05/29/97 House Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-82
05/29/97 Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-10
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA TO OUR ESTEEMED AND LEGENDARY
UNITED STATES SENATOR, THE HONORABLE STROM
THURMOND, ON SURPASSING ANOTHER LONGEVITY
RECORD BY BECOMING THE LONGEST-SERVING SENATOR
IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Whereas, Strom Thurmond was born in Edgefield, South Carolina,
to the late John William and Eleanor Gertrude (Strom) Thurmond on
December 5, 1902; and
Whereas, reared on a farm in Edgefield County, he graduated from
Clemson University with a Bachelor's degree in 1923 (he also holds
twenty-seven honorary degrees); and
Whereas, even as a young man, Strom Thurmond understood the
importance of education. After graduation, he was a teacher and
athletic coach and soon became the youngest person ever elected to
serve as Superintendent of Education for Edgefield County. During
that time, he also studied law under the tutelage of his father, Judge
J. William Thurmond. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in
1930, practiced law in Edgefield, and served as City and County
Attorney until he was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1933;
and
Whereas, State Senator Thurmond quickly became a well-known
leader and achiever and after serving one term, he became Judge
Thurmond, when he was elected in 1938 to serve on the South
Carolina Circuit Court; and
Whereas, on the day war was declared against Germany, Judge
Thurmond took off his robe and volunteered for active duty--even
though judges were exempt from military service. In four years,
Strom Thurmond fought in five battles and participated in the
Normandy Invasion with the 82nd Airborne Division, landing by
glider on D-Day; and
Whereas, for his distinguished military service, Strom Thurmond was
awarded five battle stars and eighteen decorations, medals, and
awards--including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the
Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for Valor, the Belgian Order of the
Crown, and the French Croix de Guerre. Ultimately, he attained the
rank of Major General; and
Whereas, after the war, Strom Thurmond came home and ran for
Governor. He was elected Governor in 1947, and his record of
service stands as a unique period of progress for the Palmetto State;
and
Whereas, Governor Thurmond was elected to the United States
Senate in 1954 as a write-in candidate. He was the first person ever
elected to a national office by this method; and
Whereas, Senator Thurmond has consistently continued to build a
reputation as a statesman, a constitutional scholar, and a world-class
leader; and
Whereas, today at age ninety-four, Senator Thurmond is President
Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, Chairman of the powerful
Armed Services Committee, and Senior member of the Judiciary
Committee; and
Whereas, aside from seniority and the position of influence that our
State enjoys with Senator Thurmond, we have a Senator who
represents his constituents in an unparalleled manner, who provides
outstanding constituent service, and holds a near perfect attendance
record; and
Whereas, as a citizen and educator, a high school coach, a county
superintendent of education, a lawyer, a circuit judge, a combat
soldier in World War II, Governor, and as our United States Senator
for nearly forty-two years, service to others has been his constant
pursuit and in this pursuit, he has performed without equal; and
Whereas, it is most befitting for the General Assembly to pause in
their deliberations to honor one of the most unique individuals of our
time and he belongs to South Carolina. His love of our State is the
central vision of his life and he truly is South Carolina's champion.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate
concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina, by this resolution, express sincere congratulations to our
esteemed and legendary United States Senator, The Honorable Strom
Thurmond, on surpassing another longevity record by becoming the
longest-serving Senator in the history of the United States.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
The Honorable Strom Thurmond.
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