Senate: Senators Graham, Hutto, Sabb, Jackson, Williams, Allen, Matthews, Tedder, Devine, Ott, Sutton, Walker, Adams, Alexander, Bennett, Blackmon, Campsen, Cash, Chaplin, Climer, Corbin, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Fernandez, Gambrell, Garrett, Goldfinch, Grooms, Hembree, Johnson, Kennedy, Kimbrell, Leber, Martin, Massey, Nutt, Peeler, Rankin, Reichenbach, Rice, Stubbs, Turner, Verdin, Young, Zell

Attorney: Beeson

Drafting Assistant: Rushton

Date: January 14, 2025

DEOC. ID: /LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL/WAB/DRAFTS/LC-0210WAB-AR25/LC-0210WAB-AR25.DOCX

A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF United States Congressman John McKee Spratt Jr. OF York COUNTY AND TO HONOR HIS REMARKABLE COMMITMENT TO the citizens of South Carolina.

 

Whereas, the State of South Carolina lost a monumental hero, intellect, and statesman upon the death of former Democratic Congressman John McKee Spratt Jr. at the age of eighty-two on December 14, 2024; and

 

Whereas, born in 1942 in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Jane Love Bratton Spratt and John McKee Spratt Sr. During his early years growing up in York while men were away at war, he was initially raised in a house by his own mother and two extra mothers, his aunt Martha Bratton Walker and Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Parks, who had raised his mother; and

 

Whereas, he was reared in a loving home with his beloved older sister, Jane Bratton Spratt McColl, and his cherished cousin, Martha Bratton "Cissy" McCord. He graduated from York High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Davidson College, and at both schools, he was president of the student body. He won a Marshall Scholarship to Oxford University where he studied economics, and he earned a law degree from Yale University; and

 

Whereas, in the proud tradition of the sons of South Carolina, Mr. Spratt served as a Captain in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. When he returned to York to practice law with his father, he served as county and school district attorney and as president of the Bank of Fort Mill, and he owned a farm and small insurance agency; and

 

Whereas, dedicated to his community, he served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church in York, president of the Chamber of Commerce and United Way, and chairman of the Board of Divine Saviour Hospital; and

 

Whereas, a skilled and deeply principled lawmaker, Congressman Spratt was elected to the United States Congress from 1983 to 2011, serving as chairman of the Budget Committee and a leader in shaping the federal budget. One of his proudest accomplishments was the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997, which put the federal budget in surplus for the first time in thirty years. He also served as the second highest ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee; and

 

Whereas, on March 21, 2010, Congressman Spratt joined a majority of his House colleagues in approving the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As chairman of the House Budget Committee, he made the floor motion which led to the vote on the bill.

 

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Jane Stacy Spratt, he reared three devoted daughters: Susan Elizabeth Spratt, Sarah Stacy Spratt, and Catherine Bratton Spratt. His daughters blessed him with five adoring grandchildren: Lily Isabella Spratt Tendler, Jack Harris Bratton Tendler, Max Louis Ormand Tendler, Jane Grace Brennan, and James Benjamin Spratt Brennan. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to achieve academically and professionally; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is grateful for the loving and hardworking life and legacy of service that John Spratt rendered to his family, his friends, and the citizens of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, remember and celebrate the life of United States Congressman John McKee Spratt Jr. of York County and honor his remarkable commitment to the citizens of South Carolina.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of United States Congressman John McKee Spratt Jr.

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