Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark as follows:
We thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your providential guardianship over this great State, giving to Her illustrious and good leaders of every age. We thank You this day for Your servant and our friend, Speaker Solomon Blatt who lifted high the banner of selfless service, and exercised a genuine and steadfast faith in his God. With grateful hearts, we are inspired in the memory of his undaunted loyalty to family and friends and to our beloved South Carolina. We pray that we may steadfastly emulate his virtues: his staunch patriotism, his lofty ideals, his kindness and generosity, his reverence for life and his outgoing warm personality.
May Your blessings be upon what we do in this place and may goodness and mercy follow us all our days that we might abide with our God forever. Amen.
Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by Rep. J. HARRIS.
After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.
The following was received.
May 14, 1986
The Honorable Lois T. Shealy
Clerk of the South Carolina
House of Representatives (Doc. No. 686)
Dear Mrs. Shealy:
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is hereby withdrawing and simultaneously resubmitting amended regulations pertaining to Minimum Standards for Licensing Hospitals, effective May 13, 1986. These regulations have been referred to the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
Sincerely,
Ramon Schwartz, Jr.
Received as information.
The following was taken up for immediate consideration:
H. 3913 -- Rep. Keyserling: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION TO USE THE CHAMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1986.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the South Carolina School Boards Association is authorized to use the chamber of the House of Representatives on Friday, May 16, 1986, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If the House is in statewide session, the chamber may not be used.
Be it further resolved that the State House security forces provide such assistance and access as is necessary for this meeting in accordance with previous procedures.
The Resolution was adopted.
The Senate sent to the House the following:
S. 1313 -- Senators Setzler, Dennis, Applegate, Branton, Bryan, Courson, Doar, Drummond, Fielding, Garrison, Giese, Hayes, Hinson, Holland, Land, Leatherman, Lee, Leventis, Lindsay, Long, Lourie, Macaulay, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, McLeod, Mitchell, Moore, E. Patterson, Kay Patterson, Peeler, Pope, Powell, Ravenel, Saleeby, Shealy, Horace C. Smith, J. Verne Smith, Nell W. Smith, Thomas E. Smith, Jr., Theodore, Thomas, Waddell, Williams and Wilson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE SOLOMON BLATT, OUR DEAR FRIEND AND DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUE, AND EXTENDING HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the Honorable Solomon Blatt of Barnwell County, Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives, has died at the venerable age of ninety-one; and
Whereas, he was an outstanding lawyer by profession and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, an institution he dearly loved and faithfully supported and championed over the years; and
Whereas, his service in the South Carolina House of Representatives began in 1933; and
Whereas, he was elected Speaker Pro Tempore, without opposition, on January 8, 1935; and
Whereas, he was elected Speaker over one opponent on January 12, 1937, reelected in 1939-1945 without opposition, and did not offer for Speaker in 1947 and 1949; and
Whereas, he was elected Speaker again on January 9, 1951, over one opponent, reelected in 1953-1973 without opposition, and was unanimously elected Speaker Emeritus on June 6, 1973, effective upon his resignation as Speaker, July 31, 1973; and
Whereas, the citizens of Barnwell County returned him to the House of Representatives time and time again, greatly appreciative of his excellent service and superb legislative record; and
Whereas, in recent years, he represented the people of House District Number 91, including Barnwell and Allendale counties; and
Whereas, as a legislator, he was a veritable giant -- the length and quality of his service making him legendary not only in his home county but also throughout South Carolina and the whole nation as well; and
Whereas, he was respected, admired, and loved far and wide, was a great family man, was filled with compassion for others, and always pursued excellence in everything he undertook to do; and
Whereas, he always diligently stood up for and fought for what he believed was right and good for South Carolina; and
Whereas, a man of his ability and dedication comes along rarely and is most difficult to replace, and, for that reason, among others, he will be sorely missed; and
Whereas, we, the members of the General Assembly, would very much like the members of Speaker Blatt's family and his many friends to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, expresses profound sorrow at the death of the Honorable Solomon Blatt, our dear friend and distinguished colleague, and extends sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Speaker Blatt.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.
The following Bill was introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committee:
H. 3914 -- Rep. J. Anderson: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 571 OF 1967, RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE EDGEFIELD COUNTY WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE MILEAGE, WHILE TRAVELING ON NECESSARY OFFICIAL BUSINESS, AND PER DIEM.
Without reference.
The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows.
Schwartz Alexander Altman Anderson, J. Arthur, J. Aydlette Bailey, G. Bailey, K. Barfield Beasley Bennett Blackwell Blanding Boan Bradley, J. Bradley, P. Brett Brown, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Burriss, J.H. Burriss, M.D. Burriss, T.M. Carnell Chamblee Cleveland Cooper Cork Dangerfield Davenport Day Derrick Edwards Evatt Faber Fair Felder Ferguson Foster Foxworth Freeman Gilbert Gordon Gregory Harris, J. Harris, P. Harvin Hawkins Hayes Hearn Helmly Hendricks, B. Hendricks, L. Holt Johnson, J.C. Johnson, J.W. Jones Kay Keyserling Kirsh Kohn Koon Lake Lockemy Mangum Martin, D. Martin, L. Mattos McAbee McBride McEachin McKay McLellan McLeod McTeer Mitchell Moss Neilson Nettles Ogburn Pearce Petty Phillips, L. Phillips, O. Rawl Rhoad Rice Rogers, J. Rogers, T. Russell Sharpe Sheheen Shelton Short Simpson Snow Stoddard Taylor Thrailkill Toal Townsend Tucker Waldrop Washington White Wilkins Williams Winstead
I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on May 14, 1986.
Tom Limehouse Thomas E. Huff Sterling Anderson W.D. Arthur D. Elliott Tom Marchant Lenoir Sturkie Tom G. Woodruff, Jr. Rick Rigdon Charles Griffin III
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
The SPEAKER granted Rep. MARCHANT a temporary leave of absence.
Rep. EDWARDS signed a statement with the Clerk that he came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Wednesday, May 7, 1986.
The following Bill was read the third time, passed and, having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act, and that it be enrolled for Ratification.
S. 1218 -- Senators Moore, Shealy and Setzler: A BILL TO ESTABLISH SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD OF AIKEN COUNTY, PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF ITS MEMBERS, ESTABLISH THE TERMS, AND PROVIDE A TRANSITION PERIOD FOR THOSE MEMBERS ELECTED AFTER 1986.
The following Bill was taken up, read the third time, and ordered returned to the Senate with amendments.
S. 210 -- Senators Bryan, Long, Mitchell and Thomas: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 41-1-80, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST AN EMPLOYER WHO DISMISSES OR DEMOTES AN EMPLOYEE WHO FILES A WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM OR EXERCISES ANY RIGHT, PRIVILEGE, OR DUTY UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW AND TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE EMPLOYER.
Rep. P. BRADLEY moved to reconsider the vote whereby H. 3300 was given a second reading and the motion was noted.
I was absent from the Chamber for a short period on April 30, and missed the third reading roll call on H. 3671 and the second reading vote on H. 3345. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of the Wildlife License fee increase and against the merger of the adoption agencies.
REP. DOUG McTEER
Rep. RHOAD moved that when the House adjourns it adjourn out of memory and respect for the late Speaker Emeritus SOLOMON BLATT, to meet at 12:00 Noon Tuesday, which was agreed to.
Reps. L. MARTIN, RHOAD, GORDON, WINSTEAD, KEYSERLING, O. PHILLIPS, HARVIN, L. HENDRICKS, TOAL, THRAILKILL, SNOW, L. PHILLIPS, B.L. HENDRICKS, DANGERFIELD, T.M. BURRISS, HUFF, MANGUM, S. ANDERSON, J. HARRIS, SHEHEEN and P. HARRIS made statements relative to the late Speaker Emeritus SOLOMON BLATT.
Rep. SCHWARTZ moved that the $4,000 contribution to the Child Abuse and Neglect Council from the Legislative Basketball Game be made in memory of the late Speaker Emeritus SOLOMON BLATT, which was agreed to.
Rep. SHEHEEN moved that the House stand at ease until the Joint Assembly which was adopted.
At 11:45 A.M. the Senate appeared in the Hall of the House.
The President of the Senate called the Joint Assembly to order and announced that it had convened under the terms of a Concurrent Resolution adopted by both Houses.
The Reading Clerk of the Senate read the following Concurrent Resolution:
H. 3910 -- Reps. Stoddard, McAbee and Foxworth: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX 11:45 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986, AS THE TIME FOR ELECTING A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED PORTION OF THE TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 1988, OF THE NONHEALTH-RELATED MEMBER FROM THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
The President announced that nominations were in order for a member of the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Trustees.
Senator Drummond nominated Dr. E. Bruce Ezell as follows:
"Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, honorable members of this Joint Assembly, and friends, I am honored today to be able to stand here and place in nomination Dr. E. Bruce Ezell, who grew up in my home town of Ninety-Six. His family still lives there. He is to become a non-medical member of the Board of Trustees of the Medical University of South Carolina at Charleston. Dr. Ezell is a graduate of Clemson University. He received his Ph.D. from Clemson University. He has been a professor at many colleges in the Southeast, especially the University of Georgia. He was also a professor at the Citadel, so he is a good Charlestonian and will be at home there. But he's also honoring one of your members this week. I want to introduce you to Dr. Pat Harris -- he'll be Dr. Pat Harris come this weekend at Erskine College. I also want to thank you for endorsing and voting for Dr. E. Bruce Ezell. He has no opposition, and will make an excellent member of the Board of Trustees at the Medical University. I want to thank all of you for the support you've given him."
On motion of Senator Drummond, nominations were closed and with unanimous consent the vote was taken by acclamation, resulting in the election of the nominee.
Whereupon the President announced that Dr. E. Bruce Ezell was duly elected for the term prescribed by law.
The Reading Clerk of the Senate read the following Concurrent Resolution:
H. 3702 -- Reps. Sturkie, Koon, M.D. Burriss, Lloyd Hendricks, Evatt, Klapman, J.H. Burriss, Derrick, Taylor, Sharpe, Cooper, Faber, J. Brown, T.M. Burriss, T. Rogers, Barfield and Toal: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO FIX 12:00 NOON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986, AS THE TIME FOR A JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE FOR CEREMONIES MARKING THE UNVEILING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATE HOUSE PORTRAIT OF THE LATE DR. WIL LOU GRAY, PIONEER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL.
The distinguished party was escorted to the rostrum by Senators Setzler, Shealy and Wilson and Reps. THRAILKILL, K. BAILEY and NEILSON.
The President of the Senate recognized Rev. Dr. Clark who led the Joint Assembly in prayer.
"Let us pray. In thankfulness, Lord, we remember the life of immeasurable service of our friend, the late Dr. Wil Lou Gray. We thank you for all that she meant to literally thousands. Our hearts overflow in gratitude as we recall her unlimited contributions to mankind, her undying concern for the underprivileged, her undaunted drive for the realization of hopes she held, her unfaltering determination that inspired her, her dedication to the school that proudly bears her name. And as your children, in the days and generations to follow, see this portrait to be unveiled today, may they have implanted within their lives some of the virtues that she so nobly carried, selfless service, an abiding trust in God, a devotion to the moral law of Mount Sinai, and the eternal principles of the Sermon on the Mount, her unwavering patriotism, her lofty ideals, and her friendly personality. So teach us to know, Lord, that one's life is assessed not by its length, but by its quality, not measured by the number of its days, but by the way each day is used. May the excellence of Dr. Gray's life be born in others, that her dreams and aspirations may bear an abundant harvest in their lives and in our lives. Amen."
(Lt. Gov. Daniel)
"For one hundred years, Dr. Wil Lou Gray gave everything she had to the State of South Carolina. Just after the turn of the century, she began her joyful lifetime of public service as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Greenwood County. Not much time later, she plunged into the field of adult education, pushing literacy training and organizing the state's first official program to combat illiteracy. That was 1918, the year our grandfathers came home from France and other places over there. She founded the Opportunity School based on her optimistic belief in people and the power of human effort, and the value of human dignity. Forty years ago, she became its first Director. Dr. Wil Lou Gray believed in people and taught us never to give up on any of them, no matter what their difficulties. It was Emerson that wrote, 'It's one of the most beautiful compensations in this life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.' And all through her long and very productive life, Dr. Wil Lou Gray worked to help other people, people who most often were not sure how to help themselves. She was a teacher, a leader, a spokesman, an administrator, and she never, never gave up on her commitment to the people and the state that she loved so very much and for so very long. And so, it's entirely fitting for this Joint Assembly to convene today to remember Dr. Wil Lou Gray and receive her portrait on behalf of all of the people of this great state. And at this time, I would like to present Mrs. Hannah C. Meadors of Columbia, the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. Mrs. Meadors."
(Mrs. Meadors)
"Governor Riley, Lieutenant Governor Daniel, Speaker Schwartz, members of the General Assembly, distinguished guests, friends and visitors, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and the family of Dr. Gray, I welcome you to this memorable occasion. Many distinguished guests and visitors have come to pay tribute to Miss Gray today. It is most appropriate that we recognize those who knew her best, her family. We are delighted that all of you were able to be here for this joyous occasion. At this time, I would ask that all of the members of the family of Dr. Wil Lou Gray please stand and be recognized. One in particular bears the name of Miss Wil Lou Gray, her grandniece, Wil Lou Gray Ogburn. Ms. Ogburn, would you please stand. Also seated in the gallery are the members of the Board of Trustees. They are proud of the heritage of this school. They have participated fully in the planning for this joyful occasion. I would like to ask them at this time if they would stand and be recognized. Many of our invited guests were unable to attend this occasion. One, in particular, Senator Strom Thurmond, sent a telegram, and asked that it be read: 'I regret that I am unable to join you today for the unveiling and acceptance of Dr. Gray's portrait, but I would appreciate your reading this message at an appropriate time during the ceremony. I can think of no South Carolinian who has devoted more to promoting education and fighting illiteracy in our state that Dr. Wil Lou Gray. Her many contributions have more than earned her a place of honor in our State House, and I am delighted that her portrait is being unveiled today. Best wishes to everyone and may God bless. Strom Thurmond, President Pro Tempore, United States Senate.' I understand that Mrs. Strom Thurmond, Nancy, is with us today. If she is, would you please stand and be recognized. If she should come, please let us know, and we will appropriately recognize her.
Twenty-nine years ago, the General Assembly honored Dr. Gray at a Joint Assembly. The occasion then was her retirement; she was seventy-four. After the speeches were made, she simply stood up and said, 'thank you', and then she presented the General Assembly with a piece of paper worth two million dollars then. It represented the deed to the property on which the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School now stands, some 998 acres and 218 buildings, and it cost the state nothing. The state was, in a sense, being paid for the wise investment made in the Opportunity School during the years. If Dr. Gray were here today, standing in my place, speaking before this august body, she would probably ask you for something. That was her way, for it was said that when two or three were gathered together, in the name of the state, there also would be Miss Wil Lou Gray.
I am not going to ask you for anything....today, that is. Instead, I come to bring you a gift also. I come to bring you a gift, which is the product of another wise investment at a Joint Assembly some two years ago, with funds being provided to commission a portrait of Miss Wil Lou Gray to be hung in the State House. Working in cooperation with the South Carolina Arts Commission, a portrait committee co-chaired by Olive Wilson and Elizabeth Thrailkill carefully reviewed all of the outstanding South Carolina artists, and they chose Michael Del Priore as the artist most likely to capture the likeness and the spirit of Miss Wil Lou Gray. He did his job well. He exceeded our expectations. Mr. Del Priore's outstanding credentials are printed in your program booklet for you to take home. Please read them. However, I must say a few words about this artist. One of the most difficult tasks of a portrait artist is to take a two-dimensional photograph and turn it into a three-dimensional portrait. This skill belongs truly only to those who are artists. Another difficult task is that of collaging, that is taking objects and laying them in such a way that they belong together as one whole. The items in this picture are all parts of Miss Wil Lou Gray's past. Mr. Priore included all of us, the members of the Board, and members of the family, as he went through the process of developing this work of art. The portrait stands alone, time will prove its worth. On behalf of the citizens of South Carolina, Mr. Del Priore, I thank you for your outstanding work of art. It is my pleasure to present all of you to Michael Del Priore. Michael, would you please stand for recognition. No ceremony would be complete to Wil Lou Gray without representation from her beloved school. Here to represent the Opportunity School is its superintendent, Mr. Sam Drew, a young man, indeed with a vision for the future. With him are four young adults, who have come to present to you a choral reading entitled 'Footsteps'. As I call their names, I will ask them to stand and come to the front, Margurite Hodge, Anita Johnson, Susan Dennis, James Menius. Mr. Drew."
(Mr. Drew)
"Occasionally, a person is born whose vision, energy, leadership, and dedication to the advancement of humanity touch us as a people, and instill within each of us the desire to reach out and to be better human beings.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps. Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps. Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
Wil Lou Gray was born on August 29, 1883 in Laurens, South Carolina. Named for her father, William, and her mother, Louise, she claimed personality traits from them both, as she grew in wisdom, persistence, tenacity, and compassion. She was slight of stature, yet she was to make giant steps as she began her educational journey across the state of South Carolina.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
After graduation from Columbia College and attending a summer session at Winthrop, Wil Lou set out for her first teaching job at a one-room schoolhouse in Greenwood. Her father was against it.
'Stay home, Wil Lou. I can afford to take care of you.'
'I know, father, but I must teach. I must move on.'
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
Miss Wil Lou learned many things while teaching in the rural schools in Greenwood and Laurens. She turned sight into insight. She learned about the dignity of labor as she picked cotton with her students. She saw the children learn, but she wept for the parents and other adults whose lives were so deprived and limited as they could not read and write. Humanity became her passion, democracy her creed.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
Back in South Carolina, she became the Rural School Supervisor in Laurens County. She developed in-service programs and frequent attendance regulations.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
A tenant farmer in Laurens County speaks, 'I would gladly give half my crops this year if I could learn to read and write.'
This statement was all Wil Lou Gray needed to start her night school experiment in Youngs Township in Laurens County. The experiment was a success, however, South Carolina was not ready for this new vision of the future. So Miss Wil Lou moved on to more education and a position for one year.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
Her native state then called her home as Field Secretary for the South Carolina Illiteracy Commission. 'This state cannot rise above the level of uneducated citizens. It is not their fault that they cannot read or write, they simply did not have a chance when they were young. Now, what can we do about it?'
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
Wil Lou Gray formed partnerships with industry. From the beginning, night schools for blacks was an important part of her work. But her travels through South Carolina left Wil Lou with the feeling that underprivileged students could profit greatly from a month-long school in a culturally-enriched environment. She had faith, but she needed more.
'I am your brother, Wil Lou. If you believe in these schools so strongly, then the least I can do is donate a barrel of flour.'
So the Opportunity School, the only one of its kind in the nation was born, with Miss Wil Lou's faith and the donation of a barrel of flour.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
The Opportunity School continued to grow and needed more money to operate, so Miss Wil Lou's crusading zeal was concentrated on the Legislature. A Senator of that time expressed his feelings of the entire Legislature, 'I hear her coming. She marches in like a general with an army. That woman is like chewing gum in my hair.'
The General Assembly received all of the intensity of Miss Wil Lou's passion for helping those who needed a second chance. Her tenacity paid off, and in 1946, the General Assembly granted her $65,000 for the Opportunity School, provided Wil Lou could find a suitable permanent location. She began her search.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
She marched on Washington, and through shrewd planning and hard work, Miss Wil Lou acquired the lease to the former Army Air Base, 998 acres and 218 buildings. Later, in these hallowed halls, while being honored by the Legislature as she is today, she presented the state with the deed to the property.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
And so, on January 2, 1947, the Opportunity School was officially opened. Our slogan was, 'Why Stop Learning?' and we hung it over the doorway to the school.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
At the age of 74, Wil Lou Gray officially retired after 50 years of service to her beloved South Carolina. Yet, she would not rest. Instead, she shifted gears, and took up a new battle cry of helping the senior citizens. Until her death on March 10, 1984, at the age of 100, she brought dignity to the elderly, proving that the ripening years could be a period of useful achievement.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps. Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps. Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps.
If you listen carefully, you may hear footsteps down the hall. Her hopes and dreams march on.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps."
(Senator Dennis)
"Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Governor Riley, members of the Dr. Wil Lou Gray family, members of the Joint Assembly, ladies and gentlemen, there are sound reasons why the portrait of Dr. Wil Lou Gray will be hung in the State House of South Carolina and I am honored to join in the presentation of that portrait with the distinguished Speaker of the House. First is the fact that she was a great South Carolinian. History will record, undoubtedly, that her name belongs right there alongside all the other outstanding natives of South Carolina whose likenesses are around the walls of the building. And I hope, my friends, that all the visitors in the years ahead, and particularly the schoolchildren, will stop at this portrait and ask, 'Who is Wil Lou Gray?'. I hope their teachers or tour guide will tell them that she was a person who brought opportunity to many people of this great state. She was a person who made the word opportunity synonymous with the second, third and fourth chance at education. For South Carolinians, she was a person who taught us all important lessons about human needs and human motivation. In the next few days, hopefully, we'll be taking up a $2 million appropriation for the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in the Senate. We will also be considering millions and millions of dollars more for programs to help adults improve their jobs and skills and education. It is worth us stopping here today for this occasion, and as we stop to reflect, realize that much of the commitment and much of the understanding might not be in evidence if it were not for Dr. Wil Lou Gray, and it is worth our remembering this when we consider the Opportunity School's budget along with other allocations for adult education. Her presence will be still felt in this Capitol. We can say that the hanging of this portrait means, in a sense, that Miss Wil Lou is still keeping an eye on us. The fight against illiteracy is far from over in South Carolina, and her charming and determined presence inspired and has challenged us for these causes for which she fought so valiantly, and I am confident that her portrait will inspire us to continue to fulfill the commitment made in her lifetime for those great causes. Thank you very much."
(Rep. Schwartz)
"Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Governor Riley, Senator Dennis, members of the Dr. Wil Lou Gray family and those associated with the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, my colleagues of this General Assembly, distinguished friends all, today has been a rather traumatic day for me, since I received the news early this morning, with the passing away of our dear departed and beloved Speaker of the House of Representatives. I don't refer to him as the Speaker Emeritus -- he's the all-time Speaker of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina. One of the first decisions that I had to reach, knowing that we had scheduled this Joint Assembly today, and knowing that the House of Representatives would not want to conduct business as usual on this day that is saddened by the loss of our fallen colleague, was whether or not this Joint Assembly should go forward as scheduled. The decision was not difficult at all. I turned to our departed comrade for advice, I asked myself what would he have wanted. My answer was as clear as it could be. That he would want this session to proceed, honoring a great and dedicated South Carolinian, and, I might say, a great and dedicated South Carolinian whose path had somewhat been paralleled with the path of our Speaker. I think that if I were to change the pronoun in making the very few remarks that I intend to make about Dr. Wil Lou Gray, from her to him, or from she to he, that you would probably not be able to tell which of our fallen heroes I referred to. She saw a need in South Carolina. She had the courage, the stamina, the fortitude, the direction, and the will to do something about it. She served her beloved state for over a half-century, always putting the people of South Carolina first. She gave the people of South Carolina something that will live on after all of us are gone. What a wonderful thing it must be to be remembered for providing opportunity to those who otherwise would not have opportunity. What a wonderful thing it must be to take your place in the history of South Carolina as one who reached out her hand to her fellow citizens of this state and gave them a chance where a chance might otherwise not have existed. It is my extreme pleasure to join with my dear friend, Senator Dennis, in presenting this portrait and unveiling it, and I know that this General Assembly, as will all future General Assemblies, will always recognize that monies appropriated for this school providing the opportunity to which we refer, probably is money as well spent as any we will ever spend. Thank you."
(Governor Riley)
"Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of this Joint Assembly, family and friends of Dr. Gray, we meet today with heavy, but appreciative hearts, on the death of the beloved Speaker of this House, Solomon Blatt. We will all certainly miss him. He will be missed by this House significantly and by the State. I join with Speaker Schwartz when he said certainly Sol Blatt would be very proud today that his good friend, Wil Lou Gray, was being honored by his colleagues in the House and Senate. As Governor, it's an honor for me to accept this portrait of Dr. Wil Lou Gray, and what a grand portrait it is, on behalf of all of the people of this state that she loved so much. I had the good fortune of being a close personal friend of Dr. Gray, and I've been the recipient of a lot of those calls and urgings for help for someone else. But as ex officio Chairman of the Board, and as her friend, I was so proud when I learned that the General Assembly had commissioned a portrait of Dr. Gray to be hung in this State House. No one is more deserving of the honor. Dr. Gray had unique talents. She was a true visionary who profoundly understood the need for education in a changing world. The genius of her vision was that she was able to change it and to expand it as our state has changed and is changing. And, as education and the needs of education changed, she effectively changed things. For one hundred years, this state enjoyed the enthusiasm and the dedication of this great South Carolinian. I wish we could have had another century of her leadership.
Because Wil Lou Gray perceived very early the importance of reading and writing and math for a full and productive life. It's hard for many of us to imagine what it must have been like in those early years when Dr. Gray began teaching in the Youngs community in Laurens County. It was there that she discovered not only the educational needs of her students, but the even greater needs of their parents. It literally pained her to find adults who could not enjoy poetry, nor literature, nor the newspaper, nor the words in a hymnbook. It was her nature, then, to do something about this. So she started a drive that began in Laurens County, and, of course, expanded statewide. The genius of Wil Lou Gray was that she knew how to get things done. She didn't wait for the system to respond to the needs that she clearly observed. She knew the problems were immediate, she knew they were important, that a person's capacity for a productive life and his or her dignity as a human being depended upon the educational opportunity that he or she might have. And she wanted everyone to have that opportunity. There are so many South Carolinians whose lives would have been very different if it had not been for the vision of this outstanding lady. Footsteps in the past, and we'll see and hear footsteps in the future. People who attended the Opportunity School went on to be mayors and university professors and lawyers and teachers and businessmen and women and doctors. 26,000 South Carolinians were given the opportunity for a successful life because of Dr. Gray's work.
I'm so proud of the Board that's here, and Sam Drew, and the members of the faculty and staff, and the students representing the school, and many more who gain from it every day and that will in the future. But her legacy does, indeed, live on in the lives of people who have benefited from her vision. Because of her dedication, and the success of her works, the name Wil Lou Gray will forever be synonymous with education in this State. And like those students at the Opportunity School, it's up to us to carry on the fine work that she began, and let's let this portrait unveiling be the beginning of our tribute to Dr. Gray, a tribute that you and I must carry on through our lasting commitment to quality public education. A commitment to every single man, woman and child in this state that here in South Carolina they will indeed have the opportunity to succeed as envisioned by Dr. Wil Lou Gray. And with this commitment, we can be assured that as we struggle to meet this goal, and it will be a continued and everlasting struggle, the spirit of Dr. Wil Lou Gray will always be with us. Thank you very much."
(Dr. Meetze)
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace, now and forever. Amen."
Upon the conclusion, the distinguished party and escort party retired from the Chamber.
The purposes of the Joint Assembly having been accomplished, the PRESIDENT announced that under the terms of the Concurrent Resolution the Joint Assembly would recede from business.
The Senate accordingly retired to its Chamber.
At 12:45 P.M. the House resumed, the SPEAKER Pro Tempore in the Chair.
The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:
H. 3911 -- Rep. McBride: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION OF THE BETHLEHEM COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA AND RICHLAND COUNTY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ITS COMMUNITY AND WISHING FOR IT A SUCCESSFUL "B" DAY ON MAY 17, 1986.
Rep. DANGERFIELD moved that the House do now adjourn which was adopted.
At 12:46 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. RHOAD adjourned out of memory and respect for the late Speaker Emeritus SOLOMON BLATT to meet at 10:00 A.M. Friday.
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