NO. 25

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator McLEOD.

The following remarks by Senator STEPHENS were ordered printed in the Journal of January 12, 2021:

Mr. Majority Leader, Mr. Minority Leader, my esteemed colleagues, thank you, as one of the other senators spoke of numbers; I do have a tale of some numbers. My mom said I was born on the 13th, my vital records say I was born on the 14th. and my parking space is 1314. Next week we will seat the 46th President. Today you are seating the 46th Senator, myself, right over there under the picture of one of our great statesmen Marion Gressette and my predecessor Senator John W. Matthews, Jr. I have a Senator behind me and Senator MATTHEWS in front of me.

Give honor to God because without his blessings, grace and mercy, I would not be standing before you all. Secondly, let me recognize my wife, Hilda, my 5 sons, and their families. I want to thank them for their patience, and their support, as we made our way through the election cycle this past summer and fall. Finally, finally yet importantly, let me thank and recognize the people of senatorial district number 39 for electing me as their State Senator. I realize that I have some big shoes to fill -- shoes worn by the former Senator John W. Matthews, Jr., my predecessor who made great contributions to this great State.

I want the citizens of District 39 and this State to know that when I stand on this floor, I speak on their behalf. Although it is my words that are heard, it is my distinct honor and privilege to join you in this place to do good work on behalf of the people of the State of South Carolina. I want you to know that I do solemnly swear to take this job and awesome responsibility very seriously.

For those of you who do not know me, I grew up in one of the largest small towns in the State of South Carolina, Bowman, South Carolina. I graduated from St. George High School, now Woodland High School. I matriculated from South Carolina State College, now SC State University. After graduation, I took to my passion, farming. After farming and as my family grew, I knew I needed to do something different. I was a manufacture manager for 28 plus years. I stood up in these hollowed walls as an advocate for the school board as I was a school board member for almost 20 years. Ladies and gentlemen, for many years I worked with former Senator Matthews and others in this very fine State. Senator Matthews, prior to announcing his resignation, asked me if I would offer myself as a candidate. I did, and the rest is history. During the election, I pledged to the people of this district and to the State of South Carolina that I would come here to work hard for them every day. I would not cower in the face of adversity but stand resolute to make sure that every child could get a good public education, breathe clean air, drink good quality water and that every citizen in this State would have the opportunity to live the American dream. For me, this is about more than filing Bills for political gamesmanship and randomly assigning big numbers to budgets to show that you care. This is about conviction from the heart. There is a hymn that we sang quite a bit, may the work I have done speak for me. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you Republicans and Democrats. The work that we do speaks volumes for the State of South Carolina and I leave you with these words, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I become of the sounding brass or tinkling symbol, now abide fate hope and charity. These three but the greatest is charity." Thank you, may God bless this State.

The following Bill was read the third time and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and enrolled for Ratification:

H. 3740 (Word version) -- Rep. McGarry: A BILL TO AMEND ACT 126 OF 1959, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LANCASTER COUNTY COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMISSION'S RECEIPT AND ADMINISTRATION OF LANCASTER COUNTY MILLAGE-DERIVED FUNDS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA LANCASTER MUST BE AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, TO CLARIFY THE COMMISSION'S ROLE RELATING TO THE OFFERING OF POST-SECONDARY COURSES; TO REMOVE CERTAIN ARCHAIC LANGUAGE, AND TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following co-sponsors was added to the respective Bill:
S. 584 (Word version)     Sen. Young

On motion of Senator CROMER, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of retired Major General Thomas Lee Sinclair. General Sinclair was an active duty veteran in the United States Army who had retired after 38 years of service with the South Carolina National Guard. He was awarded many commendations including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the South Carolinas Palmetto Cross, Meritorious Medal and Governor Unit Citation. General Sinclair retired from the Union County School System after 27 years of service as a teacher, principal and assistant Superintendent. Tommy was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, a Shriner and a member of the Union Masonic Lodge #75. Tommy was a loving husband, devoted father and doting grandfather who will be dearly missed.

At 11:06 A.M., on motion of Senator SETZLER, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 12:00 Noon.

This web page was last updated on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 1:14 P.M.