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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE HYMAN S. RUBIN AND TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened by the death of former Senator Hyman S. Rubin of Columbia, South Carolina on December 18, 2005; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin was born on January 21, 1913, in Charleston, South Carolina, to the late Joseph Rubin and Bessie Peskin Rubin. In 1924, the family moved to Columbia, where Senator Rubin graduated from Columbia High School; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin is survived by his loving son, Hyman Rubin Jr., and daughter-in-law, Jeannie McLain Rubin, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild; he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rose Rudnick Rubin, and his daughter, Jane Rubin; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina, was a voracious reader, and through his lifelong pursuit of knowledge embraced a myriad of subjects; he was a scholar, philosopher, and compelling speaker; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin entered the wholesale textile business with his father in 1938 and was joined by his brother, Samuel Rubin. Together the brothers, devoted to each other and the business, maintained a long and successful partnership; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin began his long and distinguished career in public service when he was elected to the Columbia City Council in 1952, and he served in that capacity for fourteen years, also serving as mayor pro tempore from 1956 until 1966; and
Whereas, he was elected to the South Carolina Senate in 1966, and served with honor and distinction for eighteen years. He served as chairman of the Medical Affairs Committee, as chairman of the Joint Committee on Aging, and as chairman of the Richland County Legislative Delegation; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin was actively involved in the work of the Committee on Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Legislative Committee on Early Childhood Development, and the Senate Finance Committee. He was also instrumental in establishing the University of South Carolina School of Medicine; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin was a stalwart activist and leader in the civil rights movement and was at the forefront of racial and religious integration in the 1960's. During this time he was a founder of the Columbia Community Relations Council and the Luncheon Club of Columbia, which was established solely for bi-racial social interaction and which has continued to thrive and is a model for similar groups around the State; and
Whereas, an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Senator Rubin fought for the preservation of the Congaree Swamp and was deeply committed to the establishment of the South Carolina State Museum; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin gave tirelessly of his time and talents on innumerable community boards, including the South Carolina Federation of the Blind, Bethlehem Youth Center, Columbia Museum of Art, the State Museum Commission, Columbia Historic Foundation, University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, the Advisory Council of the University of South Carolina College of Humanities and Social Studies, the Anti-Defamation League, and B'nai B'rith. He also was a sixty year member of the Richland Masonic Lodge #39 and a member of Scottish Rite; and
Whereas, he was the recipient of numerous awards for government and civic service, including, among others, the Order of the Palmetto, the Lion of Judah Award by the State of Israel, the Distinguished Community Service Award by the Columbia Jewish Federation, and the Order of the Cypress by the Friends of the Congaree Swamp Award; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin's life and public service were characterized by integrity, wisdom, and kindness, and throughout his life he pursued his passion for justice for all people through the furtherance of diversity, interracial and religious harmony, fellowship, and goodwill; and
Whereas, Senator Rubin is an exemplary role model, a true statesman, advocate, and leader, and he and his love for and commitment to the Columbia community and the State of South Carolina will never be forgotten; and
Whereas, it is proper and fitting for the members of the South Carolina General Assembly to pause in their deliberations to recognize the passing of such a distinguished Senator and a respected, honored, and beloved son of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of the Honorable Hyman S. Rubin and extend deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Senator Rubin's son, Hyman Rubin, Jr.
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