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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF CLIVE CUSSLER, THE DISCOVERER OF THE H.L. HUNLEY, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Clive Cussler on Monday, February 24, 2020 at the venerable age of eighty-eight; and
Whereas, on May 3, 1995, Mr. Cussler and his team found the H.L. Hunley, the world's first combat submarine, after fifteen years of searching. Using a magnetometer, Mr. Cussler's crew located a metal object about four miles off the coast of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. After diving in nearly thirty feet of water, they removed three feet of sediment to reveal one of the Hunley's two small conning towers; and
Whereas, Mr. Cussler served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Hunley since the organization's inception; and
Whereas, given his longtime interest in maritime history, Mr. Cussler founded the non-profit National Underwater and Marine Agency, an organization that strives to discover and conserve some of history's most famous shipwrecks. Over the years, the National Underwater and Marine Agency team has come across more than sixty wreck sites; and
Whereas, as a best-selling author of dozens of books spanning numerous genres, Mr. Cussler began his writing career in 1965. Among other works, he wrote a series of twenty-five popular adventure novels about the heroic Dirk Pitt, including The Mediterranean Caper, Celtic Empire, Raise the Titanic!, and Sahara, the latter two of which were adapted into movies starring Richard Jordan and Matthew McConaughey. Overall, his books have combined to sell more than one hundred million copies; and
Whereas, Mr. Cussler chronicled his experiences looking for shipwrecks in his first non-fiction release, The Sea Hunters, which inspired a National Geographic TV series; and
Whereas, throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Cussler earned a number of honors and awards in recognition of his many accomplishments, including a doctorate from the SUNY Maritime College's board of governors in recognition of his findings in The Sea Hunters, with the book serving in place of a thesis; and
Whereas, a native of Aurora, Illinois, Mr. Cussler grew up in Alhambra, California. He was married to his first wife, Barbara Knight, until her death in 2003. Together, they were parents to three children: Teri, Dirk, and Dayna. Years after her passing, Mr. Cussler married Janet Horvath; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the valuable contributions and outstanding service of Clive Cussler to the State of South Carolina. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Clive Cussler, the discoverer of the H.L. Hunley, and extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Clive Cussler.
This web page was last updated on February 26, 2020 at 2:46 PM