A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOr Jaime R. Harrison upon the occasion of completing his term as Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Jaime R. Harrison upon the occasion of completing his term as chair of the Democratic National Committee, and for his many contributions to the people and the State of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, a native of Orangeburg, Harrison was born on February 5, 1976. Raised by his teenage mother and his grandparents, Harrison overcame the challenges of poverty to become a first-generation college graduate. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yale University in 1998 and later obtained a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004; and

 

Whereas, after completing his undergraduate studies, Harrison returned to his hometown to teach ninth-grade world geography at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, his alma mater. He then served as chief operations officer for College Summit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income youth pursue higher education; and

 

Whereas, Harrison began his political career as a policy advisor to Congressman James Clyburn in 2003. He went on to serve as executive director of the House Democratic Caucus and later as floor director and counsel for Majority Whip Clyburn. In 2008, he became a principal at the Podesta Group, a government relations and public affairs firm; and

 

Whereas, in 2013, Harrison made history by becoming the first African American elected as chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, a position he held until 2017. He later served as associate chair and senior counselor for the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and

 

Whereas, in 2020, Harrison challenged incumbent Senator Lindsey Graham for a U.S. Senate seat from South Carolina. Despite raising a record-breaking one hundred nine million dollars for his campaign, he was defeated in the general election; and

 

Whereas, following the 2020 election, President-elect Joe Biden nominated Harrison to serve as chair of the DNC. He was elected to the position in January 2021 and served until February 2025. During his tenure, Harrison played a pivotal role in revising the Democratic primary election map, elevating South Carolina's prominence in the process; and

 

Whereas, Harrison is also an author. In 2018, he co-wrote Climbing the Hill: How to Build a Career in Politics and Make a Difference; and

 

Whereas, Harrison resides in Columbia with his wife, Marie Boyd, a law professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, and their two sons; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that Jaime Harrison has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Jaime R. Harrison upon the occasion of completing his term as chair of the Democratic National Committee.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jaime R. Harrison.

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