Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:30 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 this Inauguration Day, so meaningful to the citizens of our great State. And we here and now invoke Your special blessings upon those who will solemnly take their oath of office. Give in super abundant measure Your wisdom and guidance upon Jim, Bob, Charlie, Jim, Grady, Inez, Leslie, Stan and Jim. May we all walk and work, hand in hand to make this great State even better.

Bless us and use us each one. 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 the SPEAKER.

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

Rep. RODGERS moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of James Richard "Dick" Waters, which was agreed to.

The following Bills and Joint Resolution were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 3264 (Word version) -- Reps. Young-Brickell, Chellis, Harrell, Bailey and Cobb-Hunter: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO THREE SCHOOL DAYS MISSED BY STUDENTS OF THE SUMMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DORCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 IN DORCHESTER COUNTY FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1998-99 WHEN THEIR SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE CONDITIONS OR DUE TO THEIR SCHOOLS BEING USED AS EVACUATION LOCATIONS DURING HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.
On motion of Rep. YOUNG-BRICKELL, with unanimous consent, the Joint Resolution was ordered placed on the Calendar without reference.

H. 3265 (Word version) -- Reps. Knotts, Whatley, Sandifer, Seithel, Hawkins, Dantzler, Stuart, Law, Klauber and Jennings: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-560 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A MALE EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER FROM OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE UNLESS THE PERSON IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-375, SO AS TO PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL FROM RECEIVING A LOAN, GRANT, SCHOLARSHIP, OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDED BY STATE REVENUE, FEDERAL FUNDS, OR GIFTS AND GRANTS ACCEPTED BY THE STATE OR FROM RECEIVING A STUDENT LOAN GUARANTEED BY THE STATE UNLESS THE INDIVIDUAL FILES A STATEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S SELECTIVE SERVICE STATUS.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3266 (Word version) -- Rep. D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 56, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT BY ADDING ARTICLE 7, SO AS TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS PURPOSES AND THE PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH IT IS TO OPERATE.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

H. 3267 (Word version) -- Rep. D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAX, SO AS TO EXEMPT PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND CATEGORIES OF ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN AIDING THE MOBILITY OF THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3268 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-6-1130, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE COMPUTATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA TAXABLE INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA INCOME TAX ACT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CARRYBACK OF A NET OPERATING LOSS DEDUCTION FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES ALSO IS ALLOWED FOR STATE INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3269 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM THE STATE SALES TAX, SO AS TO EXEMPT THE GROSS PROCEEDS OF SALES OR SALES PRICE OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SCHOOL CLOTHES, AND OTHER SCHOOL-RELATED ITEMS SOLD TO CONSUMERS PREPARATORY TO THE START OF A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR DURING THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST AND THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3270 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-320, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION TO RAISE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE, SO AS TO REQUIRE A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION IN WHICH A PROPERTY TAX REASSESSMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO CERTIFY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE THAT THE PROPER ROLLBACK MILLAGE IS BEING USED FOR THE TAX YEAR AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TWENTY PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE STATE AID TO SUBDIVISIONS DISTRIBUTION TO A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FAILING TO USE THE APPLICABLE ROLLBACK MILLAGE.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3271 (Word version) -- Rep. Davenport: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY SOLD TO HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3272 (Word version) -- Rep. Simrill: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-2746, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LOCAL LICENSING OF COIN-OPERATED MACHINES AND DEVICES AND OTHER AMUSEMENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A BUSINESS SEEKING A LICENSE BE ISSUED THE LOCAL LICENSE, IF REQUIRED, BEFORE A LICENSE IS ISSUED BY THE STATE.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 3273 (Word version) -- Rep. Simrill: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-2746, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LOCAL LICENSING OF COIN-OPERATED MACHINES AND DEVICES AND OTHER AMUSEMENTS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY TO CHARGE A LICENSE FEE EQUAL TO THAT IMPOSED BY THE STATE.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

The following was introduced:

H. 3274 (Word version) -- Reps. Carnell, Klauber, Parks, Stille, Wilder, Taylor, W. McLeod, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland, Campsen, Canty, Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, D. Smith, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, F. Smith, Fleming, G. Brown, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, H. Brown, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, J. Brown, J. Hines, J. Smith, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, M. Hines, M. McLeod, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, R. Smith, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, Spearman, Stuart, T. Brown, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF ONE OF THE PALMETTO STATE'S MOST PROMINENT AND RESPECTED LEADERS, THE HONORABLE WILLIAM TOWNES JONES III, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FORMER SOLICITOR OF THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly were saddened to learn of the death of William Townes Jones III of Greenwood County on Thursday, November 19, 1998, at the age of seventy-six; and

Whereas, born in Ware Shoals January 29, 1922, he was the son of the late William Townes, Jr., and Helen Sims Jones; and

Whereas, he attended Ware Shoals High School and graduated in 1940 with honors. He attended the University of South Carolina where he served as president of the student body and later served as President of the Alumni Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1949; and

Whereas, William T. Jones was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, serving two consecutive terms (1948-1952). In 1952, he was elected Solicitor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit and served thirty-two consecutive years (1953-1984). He was a member of the National District Attorneys' Association and was elected twice as President of the South Carolina Solicitors' Association. After retiring as Solicitor he resumed his law practice with the Jones Law Firm in Greenwood. He was a member of and past President of the Greenwood County Bar Association, and former Vice President of the South Carolina Bar Association; member of the American Bar Association; charter member of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers' Association; member of the American Trial Lawyers' Association; and a member of the International Society of Barristers; and

Whereas, he was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II; a York Right Mason; a Shriner, Hejaz Temple; past member of the Executive Committee of the Commission of Grievances and Discipline of the South Carolina Supreme Court; the Lander College Board of Visitors; the Limestone College Board of Trustees; and was awarded the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto in 1987 by then Governor Richard W. Riley; and

Whereas, surviving are his wife, Selma Gilland Jones of the home; sons, William Townes Jones IV, Howard Gilland Jones, and Nelson Logan Jones, all of Greenwood; two daughters, Selma Thorne Jones of Boston, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Caroline Jenkins of Greenwood; and three grandchildren, Rosann Gilland Jones, Townes-Adair Jones, and Samuel Jones Jenkins, all of Greenwood; and

Whereas, when it came to prosecuting a case, nobody could touch William T. Jones. He will long be remembered as a master at courtroom rhetoric -- many a legal opponent learned that the hard way. They dreaded having to match wits and wisdom with him, and the records show why. He got the job done, and he did it with a flair that was both effective and appealing. Solicitor Jones was a showman and when he was in court there was never a dull moment. It was a pleasure to see him work; and

Whereas, he was a member of the Episcopal Church of Resurrection where he was a past member of the Vestry; and

Whereas, not only will the memories of Solicitor Jones' skills in the courtroom and his fierce devotion to uphold the law be remembered for years to come, but also his great concern for those who needed help; and

Whereas, William Townes Jones' death represents a tremendous loss to Greenwood County, and in truth, the State of South Carolina, and we want the members of his family and many friends to know that they are in our uppermost thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina extend their deepest sympathy to the family and many friends of one of the Palmetto State's most prominent and respected leaders, The Honorable William Townes Jones III, a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and former Solicitor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of William Townes Jones III.
The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following was introduced:

H. 3275 (Word version) -- Rep. G. Brown: A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING MR. WESTON LOGAN UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND EXTENDING HIM BEST WISHES FOR FUTURE HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS.
The Resolution was adopted.

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Barrett                Battle
Bauer                  Beck                   Bowers
Breeland               Brown G.               Brown H.
Brown J.               Campsen                Canty
Carnell                Cato                   Cave
Chellis                Clyburn                Cobb-Hunt
Cooper                 Cotty                  Dantzler
Davenport              Delleney               Easterday
Edge                   Emory                  Fleming
Gamble                 Gilham                 Gourdine
Govan                  Hamilton               Harrell
Harris                 Harrison               Harvin
Hawkins                Hayes                  Hines J.
Hines M.               Hinson                 Howard
Inabinett              Jennings               Keegan
Kelley                 Kennedy                Kirsh
Klauber                Knotts                 Koon
Lanford                Law                    Leach
Lee                    Limehouse              Lloyd
Loftis                 Lourie                 Lucas
Mack                   Maddox                 Martin
Mason                  McCraw                 McGee
McKay                  McLeod M.              McLeod W.
McMahand               Meacham                Miller
Moody-Lawrence         Neal                   Neilson
Ott                    Parks                  Phillips
Pinckney               Rhoad                  Rice
Riser                  Robinson               Rodgers
Rutherford             Sandifer               Scott
Seithel                Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith D.               Smith J.
Smith R.               Spearman               Stille
Stuart                 Taylor                 Townsend
Tripp                  Trotter                Vaughn
Walker                 Webb                   Whipper
Wilder                 Wilkes                 Wilkins
Witherspoon            Woodrum                Young-Brickell

The SPEAKER granted Rep. CHELLIS a leave of absence for today and tomorrow due to business reasons.

Announcement was made that Dr. Duren Johnson of Lancaster is the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

The following Joint Resolution was taken up, read the second time, and ordered to a third reading:

H. 3260 (Word version) -- Reps. Harrell, Seithel, Limehouse, Mack, Inabinett, Breeland, Chellis, Campsen and Whipper: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO THREE SCHOOL DAYS MISSED BY STUDENTS OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CHARLESTON COUNTY FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1998-99 WHEN THEIR SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE CONDITIONS OR DUE TO THEIR SCHOOLS BEING USED AS EVACUATION LOCATIONS DURING HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.

Rep. HARRELL moved that upon completion of the Inaugural Ceremony, the House stand adjourned, which was agreed to.

On motion of Rep. HARRELL the House stood at ease subject to the call of the Chair.

At. 10:50 A. M. the House resumed, the SPEAKER in the Chair.

At 11:00 A.M. the House repaired to the south portico of the State House where it joined the Senate.
The Inaugural Party proceeded to the Speaker's stand.

There are among you today two people I especially want to recognize.

Gov. and Mrs. Beasley, thank you for your dedication and your service to South Carolina.

Three hundred fifty two days, twelve hours.

As I prepared to take the oath to become South Carolina's 114th governor, I realized that's how close we are -- three hundred fifty two days, twelve hours -- to the year 2000, what most consider the beginning of the 21st Century.

On only two other occasions has a new governor of the State of South Carolina confronted a similar challenge. That's why I wish, in this the last inaugural address by a South Carolina governor in the 20th Century, to tell you of my hopes and dreams for South Carolina, and especially for South Carolina's children, as we prepare to enter the new millennium. And I want to talk about what, working together, we can do to shape dreams into realities -- what we can do to ensure our State is prepared for the opportunities and ready to meet the challenges of the next 100 years.

South Carolina has a long and rich history. That history offers many lessons to ponder as we seek our state's rightful place in the next century.

Two centuries ago, scarcely more than two decades after the American Revolution, Governor Edward Rutledge was inaugurated as only the 35th governor of South Carolina.

At the beginning of the 1800s, South Carolina was part of a new and fragile democracy. Most South Carolinians were still feeling the negative economic effects of the Revolutionary War.

Only landowners could vote. Poor farmers, women and blacks had few, if any rights. Public education was virtually nonexistent. Governor Rutledge and other prosperous South Carolinians assumed their agrarian lifestyle would never change. They saw only prosperous times ahead.

But a century later, in 1899, South Carolina stood savaged by war and ravaged by economic collapse.

When Gov. Miles McSweeney stood here at the capitol to present his inaugural address as the 19th century painfully came to a close, it's hard to believe he foresaw any realistic hope of prosperity for South Carolina in the near future.

South Carolina's history of the last two centuries teaches many valuable lessons.

Despite examples of individual greatness and heroic struggle, the shortsightedness of the leaders of earlier times failed to alert them to three critical realities.

First, economic prosperity depended on economic diversity.

Equally important, prosperity for South Carolina could only be achieved if leveraged by equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, gender or economic standing.

And third, lasting prosperity could only be ensured by a system of quality public education.

Yet, South Carolina's history, particularly its more recent history, teaches inspiring lessons of leadership and courage as well. As the 21st century nears, South Carolina -- phoenix-like -- has risen from the darkest days of war, prejudice and economic impoverishment.

Early in this century, Gov. Richard I. Manning helped reunite the State into one South Carolina after years of bitter factionalism.

Five decades later, former governors Fritz Hollings, Bob McNair and John West provided inspired leadership during the integration of our schools and our places of commerce.

In all our long history, there has been no greater engineer of public educational change for our State than former Gov. Dick Riley.

And it was former Gov. Carroll Campbell who introduced the world to South Carolina's talented workforce and their unparalleled work ethic.

Today, unlike centuries past, we're poised to put South Carolina on the march to greatness for the next 100 years -- if we have the courage to heed the lessons of history.

One is an economics lesson. The Hodges administration will be a pro-business administration. We will be pro-business because we know the lives of our children depend on our state's continued economic prosperity.

Economically, we have a solid base of tourism, manufacturing, service industries and agriculture, along with the beginnings of high-tech industry. South Carolina is on the verge of becoming a major player in the global marketplace.

But this is just the beginning.

Not only will we continue to recruit industry, we will accelerate efforts to capture better-paying, high-tech jobs for our State -- the kind of jobs that will fuel the economic engine of the 21st Century.

But economic success alone is not enough.

As a businessman, I believe that we can protect our natural environment at the same time we foster our business climate. The beauty of our State -- its pristine beaches, protected wetlands, and precious forests -- must be preserved for our children.

A second lesson history teaches is that the source of much of our strength to meet the challenges of the 21st Century is in the strength of our people. But it must be all of our people.

I'm a baseball fan. Last year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed Larry Doby as a member. The induction of a native son of Camden into that great Hall was a well-deserved tribute.

But the recognition of only the second black baseball player in major league history to break the color barrier underscores what great baseball was lost by fans and players alike by the exclusion of African-Americans from our national pastime for all those years.

Thankfully, we're beyond those days.

I pledge that the Hodges administration will be an administration that celebrates inclusion. We are reaching out to members of all races, genders and ethnic groups for governmental appointments. We realize we aren't going to win any 21st Century championships with half the team sitting on the bench.

There is a third, and most important, lesson that history teaches.

Nothing, nothing is as important to the future of our state as quality public education.

The only way to realize our dreams for South Carolina in the next century is to improve our public schools. I believe the overriding reason I am standing here before you today is that South Carolinians delivered a mandate last November that education must be our number one priority.

I ran for governor on a platform that stressed the value of education. For me, it's no Jimmy-come-lately conversion. I was born and reared in Lancaster. Both my mother and father stressed the value of getting a good education, the pathway for going as far and as high as my talents would take me.

A life-shaping experience - it taught me the value of hard work -- was a summer job at Springs Mills. All day, every day, I shouldered cloth or tended the card machines that turned raw cotton into fiber. Around me worked men and women with little or no formal education. Almost all wanted a better life for their children and grandchildren. They knew the wisdom of the old saying, "Education is the one thing in life that can't be taken away from you."

We cannot let those good people, and everyone like them -- we cannot let them down. We've got to do a better job educating our children.

Everything else -- all our hopes and dreams of economic prosperity, protecting our precious natural resources, appreciation of diversity in the decades to come -- everything else depends on a first-rate program of public education.

That's why I am asking all South Carolinians today to join me in launching a children's crusade. A 21st Century crusade of textbooks and computers and parents and teachers allied against the enemies of ignorance and indifference.

All of us in South Carolina want our schools to be the best. Most of us believe wisely investing the dollars to make them the best will reap dividends for generations to come. But there also needs to be what the business world calls "accountability." We need prudent management of every hard-earned dollar you contribute to your local schools.

Because the Hodges administration is committed to improving education without tax increases, we must adopt a statewide lottery with all the revenues targeted for specific educational needs.

We must begin by aggressively moving to cut class size in the early grades and implementing a strong pre-kindergarten program.

Lottery dollars, coupled with a commitment to make education the top spending priority in our state, can help create a truly superior educational experience. South Carolina's children deserve nothing less.

We must launch a crusade for our children because that's what it will take -- a commitment from those of us in government, parents, teachers and the business community. If we need inspiration to join this crusade, that inspiration is close at hand.

My colleague Jim Hunt, the distinguished governor of the other Carolina, challenged the people of North Carolina to do better by its children. And what followed was a visionary program of early childhood education. Because of Jim Hunt's leadership, every child in North Carolina will start school healthy and ready to learn.

Lake City-native Darla Moore generously donated $25 million to the College of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina. And then she had the courage to stand before state lawmakers and tell them they needed to do more for public education or her gift might go to waste.

Educators like Superintendent Herman Gaither from Beaufort County are demonstrating the innovative thinking necessary to give our children the opportunity to excel in the next century. In his district, laptop computers, school wide networks and Internet connections are helping build a generation of thinkers and problem solvers.

But it's not just individuals who've made good on their commitment. When global software giant Policy Management Systems of Blythewood went looking for skilled workers in South Carolina, they came up short. Instead of continuing to bring in outside workers, PMSC decided to grow its own.

Under the leadership of Larry Wilson, the company adopted the Marion Three School District. You can find it 100 miles from PMSC, located in one of the poorest areas of South Carolina. With pledges of financial support, equipment purchases, and most of all, one-on-one mentoring by employees, PMSC plans to stay and partner with the local community for as long as it takes to make Marion Three the pride of the Pee Dee.

But perhaps all we really need for inspiration is our children themselves. I am especially pleased to see the five-year-olds from Mrs. Schwartz's class at North Elementary School in Lancaster here today.

These students are among the first to receive full-day, publicly funded kindergarten. They alone should be all the motivation we need to join in the crusade to march South Carolina's schools on the path to greatness.

Like many speakers on such occasions, I looked for an inspirational story to conclude today's remarks. I didn't have to look far.

Earlier I mentioned that when I was growing up, my parents stressed the benefits of education. My mother, Betty, went one better. She provided a living example. After completing high school, my mother began college work, with dreams of a career. But she was forced to withdraw from school for lack of funds. Marriage and family followed. But she never gave up on her dreams. When I was three, with the encouragement of my father, my mother went back to college. With three young children, her only times to study were early in the morning and late at night. But she kept at it -- course after course -- until she finally earned her bachelor's degree.

But that was just the beginning. The same year I was graduated from high school, my mother earned her Ph.D. What followed was a distinguished career as an educator helping many non-traditional students like herself realize their dreams.

My mother never gave up on her dreams; she never gave up on her dreams for me. Join me, so that our children never have to give up on their dreams. Other leaders, from other states, have claimed that the next 100 years belong to them. They're wrong.

I promise that I will devote to this office every bit of strength and heart and mind that I possess.

And with the help and support of my family, especially my partner for 11 years, my wife Rachel -- with the help and support of the people of South Carolina -- and with the blessings of almighty God, the dawn of the 21st Century will herald a period of unrivaled prosperity, boundless opportunity and most importantly, the golden triumph of education over ignorance that will lead a future South Carolina governor, standing in this very spot 100 years from today, to look back with pride and truthfully proclaim that the 21st Century was indeed "The South Carolina Century."

Thank you.

The Senate returned to the House with concurrence the following:

H. 3249 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SORROW AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE JAMES WILLIAM "JIMMY" POWELL, III, OF TURBEVILLE, HUSBAND OF JUDGE ANNELLE GREEN POWELL, CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF CLARENDON COUNTY, AND EXTENDING SYMPATHY TO THE MEMBERS OF THE POWELL FAMILY.

H. 3250 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING H. BLAKE GIBBONS, JR., OF OLANTA ON BEING NAMED 1998 PRESIDENT OF THE INDEPENDENT BANKS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

H. 3251 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, D. Smith, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, F. Smith, Fleming, G. Brown, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, H. Brown, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, J. Brown, J. Hines, J. Smith, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, M. Hines, M. McLeod, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, R. Smith, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, Spearman, Stille, Stuart, T. Brown, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, W. McLeod, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS OF ONE OF THIS STATE'S MOST PROMINENT AND RESPECTED LEADERS, WILLIAM N. "BILL" GEIGER, JR., A MEMBER EMERITUS OF THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

H. 3252 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Bowers, Breeland, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, D. Smith, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Emory, F. Smith, Fleming, G. Brown, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, H. Brown, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, J. Brown, J. Hines, J. Smith, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, M. Hines, M. McLeod, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, R. Smith, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, Spearman, Stille, Stuart, T. Brown, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, W. McLeod, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE WILLIAM DANIEL "BILLY" BOAN OF LANCASTER COUNTY FOR HIS SIXTEEN YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 44, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO OUR MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE IN HIS POSITION AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR LEGISLATIVE AND BUDGET AFFAIRS FOR THE NEW GOVERNOR.

H. 3253 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, Emory, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, D. Smith, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, F. Smith, Fleming, G. Brown, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, H. Brown, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, J. Brown, J. Hines, J. Smith, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, M. Hines, M. McLeod, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, R. Smith, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, Spearman, Stille, Stuart, T. Brown, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, W. McLeod, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE HONORABLE WILLIAM DANIEL "BILLY" BOAN OF LANCASTER COUNTY FOR HIS SIXTEEN YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF HOUSE DISTRICT 44, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ITS LEADERSHIP, AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO OUR MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE IN HIS POSITION AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR LEGISLATIVE AND BUDGET AFFAIRS FOR THE NEW GOVERNOR.

H. 3254 (Word version) -- Reps. Edge, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bauer, Beck, Boan, Bowers, Breeland, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Cave, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, D. Smith, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Emory, F. Smith, Fleming, G. Brown, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, H. Brown, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, Hinson, Howard, Inabinett, J. Brown, J. Hines, J. Smith, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, M. Hines, M. McLeod, Mack, Maddox, Martin, Mason, McCraw, McGee, McKay, McMahand, Meacham, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, R. Smith, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, Spearman, Stille, Stuart, T. Brown, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, W. McLeod, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO JOHN GRESSETTE FELDER OF ST. MATTHEWS, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR HIS MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 93 AND RECOGNIZING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO CALHOUN AND ORANGEBURG COUNTIES.

H. 3256 (Word version) -- Rep. Miller: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATION THE MARCHING BAND OF WACCAMAW HIGH SCHOOL OF PAWLEYS ISLAND ON WINNING THE 1998 STATE CLASS A MARCHING BAND COMPETITION AND SALUTING THESE OUTSTANDING YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN AS "STATE CHAMPIONS".

H. 3258 (Word version) -- Rep. Harvin: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPON THE DEATH OF BOBBY JOE LEVERETTE AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

At 12:50 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. RODGERS adjourned in memory of James Richard "Dick" Waters, to meet at 10:00 A.M. tomorrow.

This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:26 A.M.