NO. 54

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. (This is a Statewide Session day established under the provisions of Senate Rule 1B. Members not having scheduled committee or subcommittee meetings may be in their home districts without effect on their session attendance record.)

The following was introduced:

S. 1258 (Word version) -- Senator Malloy: A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE CLEO JACKSON WILLIAMS ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
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The Senate Resolution was adopted.

The following remarks by Senator KIMPSON were ordered printed in the Journal of March 30, 2022:

Thank you Mr. PRESIDENT. Thank you Senator MARTIN. I just got back from the White House. Yesterday I took a plane to Washington DC. When I landed in Washington DC, I noticed on the Presidential invitation that we were going to be outside. As I approached the West Wing, I was ushered to the rose garden -- a beautiful place with polished floors. Leaders from across the country gathered at the White House in remembrance and in honor of Emmett Till -- a young man from Chicago. In 1955, his family sent him to the state of Mississippi to play with his cousins for the summer. I don't know all the facts but I've read about them. Emmett Till was accused of something he didn't do -- a 14-year- old boy can't speak too much for himself. Back then there was no due process. He was beaten, lynched, thrown in the river, and had a fan tied around his neck to keep him from coming up. For over 100 years and after being introduced over 200 times, this congress and the past congresses have failed to pass an anti-lynching statute. Yesterday President Biden, Vice President Harris and a family member of Emmett Till's all assembled in the Rose Garden to sign the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act. I was moved by President Biden's speech. When we think about lynching, most think of the past. According to an initiative, racial justice advocacy and research organization, they have documented nearly 6,500 racial terror lynchings in United States between 1850 and 1965. So 6,500 lynchings occurred during that time period. But I submit we aren't just talking about people getting hung from a tree. Because when the President spoke -- he not only talked about lynchings that happened in the past, but also ones happening in the present. We all saw the videotape of Ahmad Aubery -- folks getting in a truck, running him down like cattle. We all saw what happened to George Floyd. Under the NAACP's definition of lynching, lynching is a public killing without due process. We've seen examples of that right here in South Carolina when we look at the shooting death of Walter Scott, Jr. We also look to the tragedy of what happened in Senate District 42. The murders of nine people, including our own colleague, Senator Clemente Pinckney. It took congress over 100 years to pass an anti-lynching statute. But we see a glimmer of hope in this Bill signed yesterday by the President of this country and introduced by our own United States Senator, Tim Scott, a Republican. Senator Scott showed visionary leadership working along with Senator Cory Booker. So in closing, I would simply ask that we find it within our hearts to take up the hate crime legislation passed by an overwhelming number of House members across the lobby. There was a robust conversation in the House, and here we are in the South Carolina Senate -- which is known as the most deliberative Body. We debate electric dump trucks. I don't know how many fish, game and forestry Bills I have heard about this session but the people of South Carolina, don't want to be last in the nation to pass an anti-lynching law. There are only two states that haven't passed hate crime legislation. I have been to the White House three times. I have been invited four times but missed the first invitation that was talking about infrastructure funding. The first time I was outside for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony -- and had the opportunity to be enjoy L. L. Cool J. and Patti Labelle. The second time I went to celebrate Black History month. I saw all the President's cabinet members. It was awesome. In fact, I saw the United Nations Ambassador yesterday. I never -- on all those visits and invitations to the White House -- have I actually spoken personally to the President. Yesterday because the assembly was small -- I had the chance, on behalf of the State of South Carolina, to thank the President for sending all that money to our State so we can do good with it. I looked the President in the eye, and he wanted me to tell the people thank you. He knows we will do good for the people of South Carolina with the resources that he sent and that includes getting hate crime legislation debated and passed in the State of South Carolina. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT.

The following remarks by Senator REICHENBACH were ordered printed in the Journal of April 5, 2022:

Mr. PRESIDENT, how humbled and honored I am to be standing at this podium today. I can say that no one, not a single person, would have believed this could have happened in 1971. When a scared 14-year-old girl encouraged by so many to have an abortion, chose life. She chose my life. But for the grace of God, I was born and adopted by two loving parents who instilled in me the value of faith, family and hard work. It is through faith, family and hard work, that I am indeed standing here today to represent the incredible people of Florence and Darlington counties --to make necessary reforms to fight for our Judeo-Christian values, to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution. Mr. PRESIDENT, and my now fellow colleagues in this prestigious Body, I share this background so you may have insight into my story and why I am so passionate and eager to work with you in this Chamber. Right now, there are many in this State who are struggling to have hope for a brighter day. They're beaten down by rising inflation, high-energy prices and grocery bills they can barely afford. While they are aware that many of these issues are happening because of the failures in Washington, they are desperately seeking solutions from local and state leaders like us. My colleagues, I am here to work with you to offer such solutions and to restore faith in our neighbors because as our state motto reads, "Dum Spiro Spero", "While I breathe, I hope". I am here because the people of Florence and Darlington counties believed that as a political outsider, a 20-year commissioned law enforcement officer, and a job creating businessman, I can offer a new perspective and approach to solving problems -- acknowledging we will not all see eye to eye on each issue on each solution. I am certain that we can have respectful discourse and come together to prioritize problem solving. I am here first and foremost because of the unfailing grace and providence of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm here also because of the constant support and guidance from some very special people in this Chamber today. First and foremost my partner in life, my wife of 25 years, Charisse Reichenbach. Our incredible children who I love so much, Olivia Marie and Isaiah Michael. My sister -- my sister, who in the 1970's put me on her hip and walked me into that all white high school and dared somebody to challenge her and her little brother who they just adopted. My brother-in-law who when our mom died so young, was right there and treated me as his own brother. Charisse's father, Robert and his wife Arlene, my sister-in-law Erica and her partner Will, my wonderful nieces Jasmine and Wonder -- Wonder is not here, Bijon and Imani, my dear friend and our Lieutenant Governor, Pamela Evette and her wonderful daughter Amanda -- dear friends -- and our close friends and confidants Rich and Christina O'Malley, my trusted advisers who have become family over the last several months, Lance Williams and Michael Mulé. I'm extremely grateful for all of you and your support and I sure hope I didn't miss anyone. I promised I wasn't going to cry. In closing, I am here today succeeding Senator Hugh Leatherman, a man who impacted every part of our State. As I've shared with Ms. Jean Leatherman, I take the privilege of succeeding him very seriously. I will do everything I can to make an impact for our neighbors each and every day I am here. Mr. PRESIDENT and my fellow colleagues, Charisse and I, we look forward to getting to know each of you. We also look forward to working together with you to make South Carolina an even better place to live, to work, to worship and to raise our families. Thank you and God bless.

At 11:06 A.M., on motion of Senator McELVEEN, the Senate adjourned to meet tomorrow at 11:00 A.M., under the provisions of Rule 1B.

This web page was last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 3:40 P.M.