Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
The Senate assembled at 12:00 Noon, the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.
A quorum being present, the proceedings were opened with a devotion by the Chaplain as follows:
Beloved, as we commemorate the life and service of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., we recall some of his words at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, when he said:
"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today my friends... so even though we face difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream...
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."
Let us pray.
Father, we thank You that we share the dream.
Give us the grace to more fully realize our dreams... from sea to shining sea.
Amen!
The PRESIDENT called for Petitions, Memorials, Presentments of Grand Juries and such like papers.
The following appointments were transmitted by the Honorable Mark C. Sanford:
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Mining Council, with term to commence June 30, 2002, and to expire June 30, 2006
Mining Industry
James W. Holmes, US Silica Company, 5263 Edmund Hwy., West Columbia, S.C. VICE Randall E. Wallett (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Reappointment, South Carolina Department of Archives and History, with term coterminous with Governor
At-Large
William L. Kinney, Jr., P. O. Box 656, Bennettsville, S.C. 29512-0656
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Arts Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2006
At-Large
Linda C. Stern, 2134 Bermuda Hills Rd., Columbia, S.C. 29223 VICE Pamela M. Harpootlian
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education, with term to commence July 1, 2000, and to expire July 1, 2004
At-Large
R. Austin Gilbert, Gilbert Construction Co., P. O. Box 3009, Florence, S.C. 29502-3009 VICE Carl L. Solomon (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Reappointment, South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education, with term to commence July 1, 2004, and to expire July 1, 2008
At-Large
R. Austin Gilbert, Gilbert Construction Co., P. O. Box 3009, Florence, S.C. 29502-3009
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education, with term to commence July 1, 2000, and to expire July 1, 2004
At-Large
Douglas R. Forbes, DMD, P. O. Box 210415, Columbia, S.C. 29221 VICE V. Dianne Chinnes (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Education.
Reappointment, South Carolina Prisoner of War Commission, with term to commence July 1, 2001, and to expire July 1, 2005
6th Congressional District
Charles R. Murray, 200 Carolina Ave., St. George, S.C. 29477
Referred to the General Committee.
Initial Appointment, Board of Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund of South Carolina, with term coterminous with Governor
At-Large
John A. Stedman, P. O. Box 3227, Murrells Inlet, S.C. 29576
Referred to the General Committee.
Initial Appointment, Board of Trustees for the Veterans' Trust Fund of South Carolina, with term coterminous with Governor
At-Large
James W. Alford, P. O. Box 6994, Columbia, S.C. 29260-6994
Referred to the General Committee.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with term to commence May 31, 2001, and to expire May 31, 2005
2nd Congressional District
Edward E. Duryea, John Demosthenes Co., LLC., P. O. Box 5292, Parris Island, S.C. VICE L. Earl Brown (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2008
1st Congressional District
Marvin D. Infinger, Sinkler and Boyd, P. O. Box 340, Charleston, S.C. 29402 VICE Jessie D. Griffin (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Human Affairs Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2006
4th Congressional District
Willie Albert Thompson, WMUU, 920 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, S.C. 29609 VICE Rev. George Ashford
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, Board of Directors of the South Carolina Public Service Authority, with term to commence May 19, 2002, and to expire May 19, 2009
5th Congressional District
James W. Sanders, Bethel Baptist Church, P. O. Box 44, Gaffney, S.C. 29342 VICE Laura Fleming (deceased)
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Housing, Finance and Development Authority, with term to commence August 15, 2002, and to expire August 15, 2006
At-Large
Charles I. Small, Diversified Development, Inc., P. O. Box 11453, Columbia, S.C. VICE Dan J. Rawls
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Commission on Women, with term to commence October 18, 2002, and to expire October 18, 2006
At-Large
Tiffany R. Spann-Wilder, 4320 Waterview Circle, North Charleston, S.C. 29418 VICE Ann S. Timberlake (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Reappointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2004, and to expire June 30, 2010
At-Large
Bryan Lydon, 3001 Barefoot Trail, Anderson, S.C. 29621
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2000, and to expire June 30, 2006
At-Large
Harry B. Gregory, Tally & Gregory, LLC, P. O. Box 11288, Columbia, S.C. 29211 VICE Holly Saleeby Atkins (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Initial Appointment, Board of Directors of the Jobs-Economic Development Authority, with term to commence July 27, 2003, and to expire July 27, 2004
1st Congressional District
Everard O. Rutledge, Bon Secours Health System, 2097 Henry Tecklenburg Dr., Suite 214, Charleston, S.C. 29414 VICE Chester Duke
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Reappointment, Board of Directors of the Jobs-Economic Development Authority, with term to commence July 27, 2004, and to expire July 27, 2008
1st Congressional District
Everard O. Rutledge, Bon Secours Health System, 2097 Henry Tecklenburg Dr., Suite 214, Charleston, S.C. 29414
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council, with term coterminous with Governor
At-Large
William J. Mottel, 30 Glenmoor Place, Hilton Head, S.C. 29926 VICE Dr. John J. Stucker (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council, with term coterminous with Governor
Scientist/Engineer
David M. Peterson, Ph.D., Francis Marion University, P. O. Box 100547, Florence, S.C. VICE James D. Navratil (resigned)
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Initial Appointment, South Carolina Real Estate Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2007
Public
R. Scott Moseley, Irmo Insurance Agency, Inc., P. O. Box 1047, Irmo, S.C. 29063 VICE Mackie D. Hayes
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Reappointment, State Board of Pharmacy, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2009
2nd Congressional District:
Davis C. Hook, 2827 Hebron Dr., West Columbia, S.C. 29169
Referred to the Committee on Medical Affairs.
Columbia, S.C., January 13, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has confirmed the appointment:
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with term to commence May 31, 2001, and to expire May 31, 2005
2nd Congressional District
Edward E. Duryea, John Demosthenes Co., LLC., P. O. Box 5292, Parris Island, S.C. VICE L. Earl Brown (resigned)
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Columbia, S.C., January 13, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has confirmed the appointment:
Reappointment, South Carolina Prisoner of War Commission, with term to commence July 1, 2001, and to expire July 1, 2005
6th Congressional District
Charles R. Murray, 200 Carolina Ave., St. George, S.C. 29477
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R175, H. 3941 by a vote of 2 to 0:
(R175, H. 3941 (Word version)) -- Reps. Bowers, Lloyd and R. Brown: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL PROPERTY TAX YEARS BEGINNING AFTER 2003 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED VALUES DETERMINED IN THE COUNTYWIDE APPRAISAL AND EQUALIZATION PROGRAM CONDUCTED IN COLLETON COUNTY IN 2001.
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R175, H. 3941 (Word version)) -- Reps. Bowers, Lloyd and R. Brown: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL PROPERTY TAX YEARS BEGINNING AFTER 2003 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED VALUES DETERMINED IN THE COUNTYWIDE APPRAISAL AND EQUALIZATION PROGRAM CONDUCTED IN COLLETON COUNTY IN 2001.
The veto of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Ford Giese Glover Gregory Grooms Hawkins Hayes Hutto Jackson Knotts Kuhn Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews McConnell McGill Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Pinckney Rankin Ravenel Reese Richardson Ritchie Ryberg Setzler Short Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin Waldrep
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 87 to 26:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 5. Part 1A, Section 63, Budget and Control Board, page 264,
S.C. Leadership, $60,045
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 5. Part 1A, Section 63, Budget and Control Board, page 264,
S.C. Leadership, $60,045
Veto 5 on H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, of the Governor was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator COURSON moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.
Senator RYBERG argued contra to the motion to override the veto.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Drummond Elliott Ford Giese Glover Grooms Hayes Hutto Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews Mescher Moore Patterson Ravenel Reese Ritchie Setzler Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin
Cromer Fair Gregory Hawkins Knotts Kuhn McConnell O'Dell Peeler Richardson Ryberg
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 103 to 0:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 6. Part 1B, Section 8.34, Department of Health and Human
Services, page 326, DHHS: Prescription Reimbursement
Payment Methodology
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 6. Part 1B, Section 8.34, Department of Health and Human
Services, page 326, DHHS: Prescription Reimbursement
Payment Methodology
Veto 6 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator RITCHIE moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Ford Giese Glover Gregory Grooms Hawkins Hayes Hutto Jackson Knotts Kuhn Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews McConnell McGill Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Pinckney Rankin Ravenel Reese Richardson Ritchie Ryberg Setzler Short Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin Waldrep
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 107 to 2:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 7. Part 1B, Section 8.38, Department of Health and Human
Services, page 326, DHHS: Medicaid Fiscal Impacts
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 7. Part 1B, Section 8.38, Department of Health and Human
Services, page 326, DHHS: Medicaid Fiscal Impacts
Veto 7 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator J. VERNE SMITH moved that the veto of the Governor be sustained.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Ford Giese Glover Gregory Grooms Hawkins Hayes Hutto Jackson Knotts Kuhn Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews McConnell McGill Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Pinckney Rankin Ravenel Reese Richardson Ritchie Ryberg Setzler Short Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin Waldrep
The necessary two-thirds vote not having been received, the veto of the Governor was sustained, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 102 to 4:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 10. Part 1B, Section 19.6, State Museum, page 344, MUSM:
Across-the-Board Cut Exemption
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 10. Part 1B, Section 19.6, State Museum, page 344, MUSM:
Across-the-Board Cut Exemption
Veto 10 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senators RITCHIE, LEATHERMAN and MARTIN spoke on the veto.
Senator MARTIN moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
AYES
Alexander Anderson Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Giese Glover Grooms Hayes Hutto Knotts Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews McConnell Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Ravenel Reese Richardson Ritchie Setzler Short Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin
Branton Gregory Kuhn Ryberg
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 90 to 14:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 14. Part 1B, Section 36.1, Department of Public Safety, page
361, DPS: Special Events Traffic Control
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 14 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator RICHARDSON spoke on the veto.
Senators LEATHERMAN and KNOTTS spoke on the veto.
Senator KNOTTS moved that the veto of the Governor be overridden.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Ford Giese Glover Gregory Grooms Hawkins Hayes Hutto Jackson Knotts Kuhn Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin Matthews McConnell McGill Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Pinckney Rankin Ravenel Reese Richardson Ritchie Setzler Short Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin Waldrep
Ryberg
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 98 to 0:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 16. Part 1B, Section 63.2, Budget and Control Board, page
395, BCB: Performance Excellence
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 16. Part 1B, Section 63.2, Budget and Control Board,
page 395, BCB: Performance Excellence
Veto 16 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator RITCHIE explained the veto.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
By a division vote of 3-34 and the necessary two-thirds vote not having been received, the veto of the Governor was sustained, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 14, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has overridden the veto by the Governor on R127, H. 3749 by a vote of 98 to 3:
H. 3749 -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 21. J16-Department of Disabilities and Special Needs:
Special Olympics $50,000
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
(R127, H. 3749 ) -- THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Veto 21. J16-Department of Disabilities and Special Needs:
Special Olympics $50,000
Veto 21 of the Governor to H. 3749, the General Appropriation Bill, regarding J16 was taken up for immediate consideration.
Senator GREGORY argued in favor of sustaining the veto.
The question was put: "Shall the Act become law, the veto of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding?"
The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows:
Alexander Anderson Branton Courson Cromer Drummond Elliott Fair Ford Giese Glover Grooms Hawkins Hayes Knotts Land Leatherman Leventis Malloy Martin McConnell McGill Mescher Moore O'Dell Patterson Peeler Pinckney Reese Ritchie Setzler Smith, J. Verne Thomas Verdin Waldrep
Gregory Kuhn Ryberg
The necessary two-thirds vote having been received, the veto of the Governor was overridden, and a message was sent to the House accordingly.
Columbia, S.C., January 16, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has confirmed the appointment:
Initial Appointment, South Carolina State Ethics Commission, with term to commence June 30, 2003, and to expire June 30, 2008
1st Congressional District
Marvin D. Infinger, Sinkler and Boyd, P. O. Box 340, Charleston, S.C. 29402 VICE Jessamine D. Griffin (resigned)
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
Columbia, S.C., January 20, 2004
Mr. President and Senators:
The House respectfully informs your Honorable Body that it has confirmed the appointment:
Reappointment, Greenville County Master-in-Equity, with term to commence December 31, 2003, and to expire December 31, 2009
Charles B. Simmons, Jr., Suite 313, County Courthouse, Greenville, S.C. 29601
Very respectfully,
Speaker of the House
Received as information.
I fully support the private sector Special Olympics program. When I was in business, my company was always one of the primary sponsors of our local Special Olympics. I felt the financial support of this worthwhile program must be fully supported by businesses for its existence. The business community will step to the table to fully support Special Olympics. When government steps in, the business community walks away from their obligations for this wonderful program.
On motion of Senator HAYES, with unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to go into Executive Session prior to adjournment.
Senator RAVENEL rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Mr. PRESIDENT and fellow members of the Senate, as you know, yesterday, January 19, 2004, we celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday. Because the holiday fell on Sunday, we celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday yesterday. But, yesterday, the 19th of January, was also General Robert E. Lee's birthday.
And you know, the General once said, "Of all the words in the English language, 'beauty' is the most sublime." And I think that's a good word for all of us here in the Senate to think about and recognize.
And every year, every year, a fellow by the name of Paul Greenburg, who is the editorial page writer of the Arkansas Democrat, does an Op Ed on General Lee. Because he did one this year, and it is really superb, it was also in the Post and Courier down there Sunday morning, and maybe yesterday morning, and I just ask permission to have it passed out to the Members of the Senate.
Thank you.
Senator COURSON rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Yesterday was General Robert E. Lee's birthday. He died at a relatively young age. He was 62 and President of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, which is now Washington and Lee University. I think we would be remiss if we do not remember what a great man Robert E. Lee was - not just to our region of the country but to this nation as a whole - when one looks back at his life, his history and what he accomplished.
He was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. My understanding is he was the only cadet, up to that time, who had not received a single demerit in his four years. He later served as Commandant of that institution and served with unique bravery in the Mexican War. When Virginia seceded from the Union in May of 1861, President Lincoln offered him the command of the federal forces. He declined and accepted command of the Virginia forces when the War Between the States began.
I think that he was a unique individual and, certainly, a brilliant person. He assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia June 1, 1862, which is probably one of the greatest field armies this country has ever fielded. His success as Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia is legendary, and what he achieved was absolutely incredible. He was under-manned, under-supplied and fought with great tenacity. When he surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, it sent a signal throughout our region of the country that it was over. This is important - I believe, very important. When the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered, there were well-equipped Southern armies still in the field: General Joe Johnson and the Army of Tennessee, which surrendered April 26; Generals Kirby Smith and Richard Taylor soon capitulated.
I believe General Robert E. Lee did as much to heal this country as any American because that war could have continued for two or three more years after Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The troops were in the field to do it. They were veteran troops that were well equipped. But he didn't. He surrendered to send a signal. The other field troops followed. When he went to Lexington, Virginia, to assume the presidency of Washington College, he was asked to get involved in politics. He refused to do so.
His life after 1865 to 1870 was dedicated to educating the people of his native state of Virginia and the South. In my opinion he is truly one of the great, great Americans and I think we need to give him his due in helping to preserve this country and making it what it is today. If he had not taken decisive action to bring an end to the War Between the States, our country could easily be facing some of the balkanization and separatist movements we have observed occurring throughout the world.
I recall very well a trip to Canada a few years ago when I visited the Provincial Assembly in Quebec. They are still talking about seceding from Canada. There is no talk in this country about secession. There is no talk about anything except the greatness of the United States of America, and Robert E. Lee deserves a lot of credit for that.
Thank you, Mr. PRESIDENT.
Senator J. VERNE SMITH rose for an Expression of Personal Interest.
Mr. PRESIDENT and ladies and gentlemen of the Senate:
I will be brief, as my friend from Charleston says and as he always starts off, sometimes he is and sometimes he isn't, but he always starts his remarks in that regard. General Lee, my all-time ideal of a high-class gentleman, when the war was over he told his fellow Southerners to forget all animosities and make your sons Americans. I think that was a great statement for a general of the army to make. Another thing that he said one time, that really touched my life was, "When a girl becomes a lady and a boy becomes a gentleman the requirement for that is to learn to deny yourself. And when you learn to deny yourself, a boy becomes a man and a girl becomes a lady."
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, with unanimous consent, the remarks of Senators RAVENEL, COURSON and J. VERNE SMITH were ordered printed in the Journal.
S. 731 (Word version) -- Senator Moore: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 50-13-25, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE FISHING SEASON AND OTHER FISHING REGULATIONS ON SLADE LAKE IN EDGEFIELD COUNTY, SO AS TO FURTHER SPECIFY THESE REGULATIONS AND TO ALSO PROHIBIT THE USE OF NONGAME FISHING DEVICES AND THE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, GLASS CONTAINERS, AND ALCOHOL AND TO PROHIBIT LITTERING AND THE IMPROPER OPERATION OR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
Senator MOORE asked unanimous consent to make a motion to recall the Bill from the Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee.
There was no objection.
The Bill was recalled from the Committee and ordered placed on the Calendar for consideration tomorrow.
The following were introduced:
S. 843 (Word version) -- Senator J. Verne Smith: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND EXPRESS THE APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO R. LEWIS SHAW, SOUTH CAROLINA'S DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL, FOR HIS DEDICATED AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.
l:\council\bills\nbd\12069ac04.doc
The Senate Resolution was adopted.
S. 844 (Word version) -- Senators McConnell, Moore, Alexander, Anderson, Branton, Courson, Cromer, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Hutto, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Malloy, Martin, Matthews, McGill, Mescher, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Ravenel, Reese, Richardson, Ritchie, Setzler, Short, J. Verne Smith, Thomas, Verdin and Waldrep: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-10, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE TITLE OF THE RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ACT, SO AS TO DELETE THE WORD "RURAL"; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS UNDER THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ACT, SO AS TO DELETE THE DEFINITION OF "RURAL AREA" AND ADD DEFINITIONS OF "COMMISSION" AND "CORRIDOR"; TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 49 OF TITLE 33, BY ADDING SECTION 33-49-140, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN RIGHTS AND AGREEMENTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-210, RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION OF COOPERATIVE NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP CORPORATIONS, SO AS TO DELETE THE REFERENCE TO RURAL AREAS; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-250, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, SO AS TO DELETE A REFERENCE TO RURAL AREAS AND TO PROVIDE THAT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SERVE CERTAIN PREMISES IN AREAS ANNEXED BY MUNICIPALITIES OR NEWLY-INCORPORATED AREAS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 58-27-90, RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES, SO AS TO APPLY THE SECTION TO THE POWERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES; TO AMEND SECTION 58-27-100, RELATING TO MUNICIPAL POLICE REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCES, SO AS TO APPLY THE SECTION TO THE POWERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES; TO AMEND SECTION 58-27-670, RELATING TO ELECTRIC SERVICE IN AN AREA ANNEXED OR INCORPORATED BY A MUNICIPALITY, SO AS TO DELETE ANY REFERENCE TO RURAL OR RURAL AREAS AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN ELECTRICAL UTILITIES SHALL NOT PROVIDE SERVICE IN CERTAIN AREAS INCORPORATED OR ANNEXED BY A MUNICIPALITY AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
S. 845 (Word version) -- Senators Courson and Giese: A BILL TO PROVIDE THAT ALL POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION ARE DEVOLVED UPON THE RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL, EXCEPT FOR THOSE POWERS AND DUTIES RELATED TO STATEWIDE OR REGIONAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AUTHORITIES, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY THAT HAS REPRESENTATIVES ON ITS GOVERNING BOARD FROM MORE THAN ONE COUNTY.
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Read the first time and ordered placed on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.
S. 846 (Word version) -- Senators Ryberg, Kuhn, Richardson, Moore, Gregory and Giese: A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-1-1810 AND 9-11-310, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS IN RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES PAID BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO DELETE THE CONTINGENCY IN THESE PROVISIONS PROVIDING THAT COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS IN RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES MAY BE PAID ONLY IF THE INCREASED LIABILITIES RESULTING FROM THESE ADJUSTMENTS DO NOT REQUIRE AN INCREASE IN EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THESE SYSTEMS.
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Senator RYBERG spoke on the Bill.
Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S. 847 (Word version) -- Senator Waldrep: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 46-17-200, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY BOARDS, SO AS TO REVISE THESE QUALIFICATIONS.
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Read the first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the HARRY R. E. HAMPTON MEMORIAL WILDLIFE FUND and the SC CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION to attend a reception at the State Museum on Tuesday, January 20, 2003, from 6:00 until 8:30 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS to attend a breakfast in Room 221 Blatt Bldg. on Wednesday, January 21, 2003, from 8:00 until 9:30 A.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF SC to attend a midday reception in Room 221 Blatt Bldg. on Wednesday, January 21, 2003, from 12:00 until 2:00 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS and AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF SC to attend a reception at the Summit Club on Wednesday, January 21, 2003, from 8:00 until 9:30 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the NATIONAL COSMETOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF SC to attend a breakfast in Room 221 Blatt Bldg. on Thursday, January 22, 2003, from 8:00 until 10:00 A.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION to attend a reception at the Columbia Museum of Art on Tuesday, January 27, 2003, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS to attend a breakfast at the Holiday Inn City Center on Wednesday, January 28, 2003, from 7:45 until 8:45 A.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS to attend a luncheon at the Capital City Club on Wednesday, January 28, 2003, from 12:00 until 2:00 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the CLARION TOWN HOUSE HOTEL to attend an oyster roast/frogmore stew reception at the Clarion Town House on Wednesday, January 28, 2003, from 6:00 until 9:00 P.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander
Peeler Kuhn Reese
Knotts Waldrep
Senator COURSON from the Committee on Invitations submitted a favorable report on:
An invitation from the SC MANUFACTURERS ALLIANCE to attend a breakfast at the Clarion Town House Hotel on Thursday, January 29, 2003, from 8:00 until 9:30 A.M.
Courson Matthews Patterson O'Dell McGill Alexander Peeler Kuhn Reese Knotts Waldrep
THE SENATE PROCEEDED TO A CALL OF THE UNCONTESTED LOCAL AND STATEWIDE CALENDAR.
H. 4497 (Word version) -- Reps. Wilkins, W.D. Smith, Harrison, Harrell, J. Brown, Cato, Witherspoon, Townsend and Chellis: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION INVITING HIS EXCELLENCY, MARSHALL CLEMENT (MARK) SANFORD, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN A JOINT SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004, IN THE CHAMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Senator McCONNELL asked unanimous consent to take up H. 4497 for immediate consideration.
There was no objection.
On motion of Senator McCONNELL, the Concurrent Resolution was adopted, ordered returned to the House.
The PRESIDENT appointed Senators McCONNELL, COURSON, REESE, ALEXANDER and MALLOY to escort the Honorable Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina, and members of his party to the House of Representatives for the Joint Assembly.
By prior motion of Senator HAYES, the Senate agreed to go into Executive Session.
On motion of Senator HAYES, the seal of secrecy was removed and the Senate reconvened.
On motion of Senator MESCHER, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mr. Willie T. Varnish of Moncks Corner, S.C.
At 1:56 P.M., on motion of Senator McCONNELL, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 2:00 P.M.
This web page was last updated on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 3:35 P.M.