S*944 Session 109 (1991-1992)
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.
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