South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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S. 302

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Lourie
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11136ac07.doc

Introduced in the Senate on January 18, 2007
Introduced in the House on January 18, 2007
Adopted by the General Assembly on January 18, 2007

Summary: Stephen Potts Bates

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   1/18/2007  Senate  Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-10
   1/18/2007  House   Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-11

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/18/2007

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SADNESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE DEATH OF STEPHEN POTTS BATES OF COLUMBIA AND EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY, MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were deeply saddened by the death of Stephen Potts Bates of Columbia on November 23, 2006; and

Whereas, Steve, born and raised in Columbia, was a graduate of Richland Northeast High School, Presbyterian College, and the University of South Carolina School of Law; and

Whereas, formerly a partner with McAngus, Goudelock, and Courie, Steve recently had started his own law firm, Bates and Hyatt. Prior to entering private practice, Steve was an invaluable legislative staffer and held prominent positions in state government. In the early 1990's he served the General Assembly as Chief Counsel to Speaker Bob Sheheen, Counsel to the House Ethics Committee, and Counsel to the Joint Legislative Committee for Judicial Screening; and

Whereas, admired for his political savvy and keen intellect, Steve was sought out for his insight and wise counsel. He was respected by members on both sides of the aisle and was known for his hard work and professionalism; and

Whereas, in 1994, Steve was elected by the General Assembly to be an Administrative Law Judge, where he served with honor and distinction. In 1998, Governor Jim Hodges persuaded Steve to leave the bench and become Deputy Director of the Department of Public Safety; he next served as Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Hodges; and

Whereas, throughout Steve's career in state government he tackled complex issues with diligence and integrity and played an instrumental role in many significant issues, including government restructuring, House and Senate redistricting, the lowering of the confederate flag, and the creation of the state lottery; and

Whereas, Steve was honored for his many contributions and accomplishments in his legal career when in 2002 he received the University of South Carolina School of Law Compleat Lawyer Award; he was also named to America's Best Lawyers in the areas of Administrative Law and Healthcare Law, and he received the Presbyterian College Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 1998; and

Whereas, Steve was a friend to many members of this General Assembly and was renowned for building and maintaining strong, lasting friendships and for his deep loyalty to his extensive circle of friends; and

Whereas, he was a faithful member of Eastminister Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and forum moderator of the Board of Deacons; and

Whereas, in spite of his demanding professional life, his dedication to friends, and his passion for sports, especially baseball and particularly the Red Sox, Steve was above all a devoted family man. He was the beloved husband of Suzanne Hellams Bates and the proud, devoted father of Sarah Rachel and Robert Griffin. Steve was involved with coaching his children's youth baseball, basketball, and soccer teams and was active in every aspect of their lives; and

Whereas, Steve is also survived by his beloved parents, Roy and Sarah Bates, brother and sister in-law, Brian and Ginger Bates, sister and brother in-law, Nancy and Cian O'Connor, and his parents in-law Robert and Caroline Hellams; and

Whereas, Steve, a young, vibrant, vital man of 44 whose life was suddenly and unexpectedly taken long before his time, will forever be remembered for his love of family, life, and friends, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him; and

Whereas, it is proper and fitting for the members of the South Carolina General Assembly to pause in their deliberations to remember and honor such a distinguished favorite son as Stephen Potts Bates. 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 sadness on the death of Stephen Potts Bates of Columbia and extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many, many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Stephen Potts Bates.

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