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.