S*0944 Concurrent Resolution, By Wilson, Courson, Giese, S.S. Martschink, 
McConnell, Peeler, M.T. Rose, Russell, R.C. Shealy, H.S. Stilwell and Thomas
 A Concurrent Resolution expressing the sympathy of the members of the General
 Assembly to the family and many friends of the late Lee Atwater of Columbia.

   04/30/91  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-5
   04/30/91  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-1

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF THE LATE LEE ATWATER OF COLUMBIA.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lee Atwater of Columbia, on March 29, 1991; and

Whereas, his untimely death at age forty, after a year-long illness borne with quiet courage and determination, has left a void in the lives of his family and multitude of friends and coworkers; and

Whereas, in an eventful and achievement-crowded career, Lee rose to the heights of the inside world of politics, taking a vital role in the election of presidents, as national campaign manager for President Bush in his 1988 campaign, and his subsequent appointment as chairman of the Republican National Committee serving until death as general chairman but never lost his reverence and affection for his South Carolina roots, his friends and family, and his beloved "blues"; he will forever be an inspiration to young people getting involved in the honorable profession of politics; and

Whereas, Lee, while a student at Newberry College, began his political positions successfully in 1972 as state college coordinator for the campaign to re-elect President Richard Nixon. The same summer he was elected the youngest delegate ever to a national political party convention for South Carolina. In 1974 he directed the first statewide race of now-Governor Carroll Campbell. In 1978 he directed the crucial re-election effort of United States Senator Strom Thurmond. In 1980 he was state campaign manager for California Governor Ronald Reagan in South Carolina's first-ever presidential primary which was the decisive breakthrough primary for President Reagan's ultimate landslide. In 1988 Lee was the first South Carolinian ever to manage a successful presidential campaign. He was the architect of the all-important crushing victory in the South Carolina presidential primary by Vice President Bush, heralding the Super Tuesday sweep. He then strategized a come-from-behind landslide for President Bush, culminating a decade of decisive philosophical change in America and the world; and

Whereas, even in death Lee brought worldwide honor to South Carolina with an inspiring funeral at Trinity Cathedral and burial at Greenlawn Cemetery. Leading the mourners from Washington were Vice-President Dan Quayle and seven cabinet members with George Bush, Jr., In Mr. Quayle's eulogy he said "Today the world spins in a new direction. Hope is renewed. Lee Atwater was a vital part in making of all that history"; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations so they may add their voices to those expressing their sympathy to Lee's devoted wife, Sally, his three daughters, his parents, Harvey and Toddy Atwater, his sister, Ann King, and his host of friends and coworkers.

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly express sympathy to the family and many friends of the late Lee Atwater of Columbia. Now, therefore,

Be if further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Sally Atwater and Harvey and Toddy Atwater.