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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:

Heavenly Father, always more ready to hear our prayer than we to pray, as we go forth into the duties of this day enable us to feel Your strength inexauctable which is available to all who will claim it. Give to us a greater humility of spirit, a finer sincerity of purpose, a higher sensitivity of the needs of people, and a deeper fellowship with You. Keep us ever loyal to the Royal within us, always more aware of Whose we are than who we are. Shine upon us, O Spirit of Light, to drive from us the darkness of doubt, fear and ill will, causing us to be divested of all pretense and sham.

In our Master's Name we pray. Amen.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 1572 -- Senators Wilson, Setzler and Shealy: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF THE LATE MRS. OLIVE CLECKLEY BRYAN OF LEXINGTON COUNTY.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.

The following was introduced:

H. 4366 -- Rep. Dangerfield: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF CLAUDE WRIGHT BLANCHARD OF CHARLESTON COUNTY WHO DIED FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following was introduced:

H. 4367 -- Rep. J. Bradley: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING MR. ROBERT C. GALLAGER OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HIS EXCELLENT SERVICE ON THE CHARLESTON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD AND FOR HIS PREVIOUS SERVICE ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 1575 -- Senators Williams, Applegate, Branton, Bryan, Courson, Doar, Drummond, Fielding, Garrison, Giese, Hayes, Hinson, Holland, Land, Leatherman, Lee, Leventis, Lindsay, Long, Lourie, Macaulay, Martin, Martschink, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, McLeod, Mitchell, Moore, Patterson, Peeler, Pope, Powell, Russell, Saleeby, Setzler, Shealy, Horace C. Smith, J. Verne Smith, Nell W. Smith, Thomas E. Smith, Jr., Stilwell, Thomas, Waddell and Wilson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SALUTING THE HONORABLE REMBERT CONEY DENNIS OF BERKELEY COUNTY, OUR HIGHLY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE AND VERY DEAR FRIEND IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND HIS INNUMERABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO GOOD GOVERNMENT IN THIS STATE, AND WISHING HIM SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT FROM ACTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Whereas, the Honorable Rembert Coney Dennis of Berkeley County, one of this State's pre-eminent lawyers, attended Furman University and Georgetown University Law School and graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1940; and

Whereas, he was a distinguished young member of the House of Representatives from 1939-42 and came to the Senate as a member in 1943 where he has served with the greatest distinction and honor ever since; and

Whereas, he served for many years as the chairman of the Senate's powerful Finance Committee and as a member of the State Budget and Control Board and was most effective in both of these capacities; and

Whereas, his superb knowledge of, keen interest in, and great concern for the financial affairs and condition of this State did much to help South Carolina maintain its AAA credit rating; and

Whereas, he has been honored by his colleagues in the Senate by being chosen by them as the body's president pro tempore, having been elected to that office on March 13, 1984; and

Whereas, his legislative career and contributions have been legendary and have benefitted the people of South Carolina in ways too numerous to count and too significant ever to be adequately or properly measured; and

Whereas, he is a man of impeccable character -- honest, sincere, and caring to the greatest degree; and

Whereas, he is a deeply religious man (although he does not publicize this fact) and also wonderfully and admirably devoted to his family, including his lovely wife, Natalie; and

Whereas, he is a leader in every sense of the word and tremendously skilled in the legislative process; and

Whereas, he easily could have been elected to any other office which the people of this great State have to bestow but chose a long time ago to make the General Assembly (specifically, the Senate) his career and life's work; and

Whereas, he has led the Senate through many difficult moments, always steering the ship calmly, with confidence, and with vision; and

Whereas, he has been a true friend to his colleagues and a real source of strength and support; and

Whereas, even though, regrettably, he has announced his retirement from active public service effective at the end of this year, it is practically impossible to imagine a Senate without Rembert Dennis to lead and guide it or a General Assembly without his warm smile and friendly handshake; and

Whereas, we will miss his presence in these halls very greatly, but we know and are glad that he will be able to spend more time with his wonderful family; and

Whereas, it will be a long, long time before another individual of the stature and goodness of Rembert Dennis comes our way, but the legacy of his leadership is real and very strong and quite precious and, we trust, will guide us and sustain us for many years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, salute the Honorable Rembert Coney Dennis of Berkeley County, our highly esteemed colleague and very dear friend, for his outstanding legislative career and his innumerable contributions to good government in this State and wish him every success and happiness possible following his retirement from active public service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Honorable Rembert Coney Dennis of Berkeley County.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 1574 -- Senator Wilson: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE WILLIAM S. BRANTON, JR., OF SUMMERVILLE IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, FOR HIS LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE, AND TO WISH HIM WELL IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, Senator William S. Branton, Jr., of Summerville in Dorchester County, will not be returning to his seat in the South Carolina Senate after the 1988 legislative session; and

Whereas, Senator Branton has effectively served in the South Carolina Senate for the past four years and prior to that in the House of Representatives for five years; and

Whereas, in the House of Representatives he was a most consciencious member both on delegation and statewide matters and in the Senate his capable leadership qualities were recognized and appreciated by his colleagues; and

Whereas, his colleagues in the General Assembly are proud to have served with him and are desirous of recognizing his many accomplishments in his service to the people of his district in Dorchester and Berkeley Counties, to the Senate, and to the citizens of the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly commend the Honorable William S. Branton, Jr., of Summerville in Dorchester County, for his legislative service as a member of the General Assembly and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to our esteemed colleague and beloved friend, The Honorable William S. Branton, Jr.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered returned to the Senate with concurrence.

The following Bill was introduced, read the first time, and ordered placed on the calendar without reference.

S. 1571 -- Senator Giese: A BILL RELATING TO FIREARMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT MILITARY FIREARMS MANUFACTURED IN RICHLAND COUNTY BY A FIRM LICENSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY BE LEGALLY MANUFACTURED, POSSESSED AND SOLD IN RICHLAND COUNTY BY THE MANUFACTURER THEREOF.

Without reference.

The following Bills were taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

S. 1430 -- Senator Hayes: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 176 OF 1987, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LAKE WYLIE MARINE COMMISSION, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.

S. 1568 -- Senator Lee: A BILL TO AMEND AN ACT OF 1988 BEARING RATIFICATION NUMBER 719, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE.

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 4366 -- Rep. Dangerfield: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF CLAUDE WRIGHT BLANCHARD OF CHARLESTON COUNTY WHO DIED FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988.

H. 4367 -- Rep. J. Bradley: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING MR. ROBERT C. GALLAGER OF CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR HIS EXCELLENT SERVICE ON THE CHARLESTON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD AND FOR HIS PREVIOUS SERVICE ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION.

At 3:25 P.M. the House in accordance with H. 4355 (Sine Die Adjournment Resolution) adjourned to meet at 10:00 A.M., Monday, June 20.

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