NO. 5

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 CROMER.

The following remarks by Senator VERDIN were ordered printed in the Journal of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Mr. Parris died on July 9, 2024, at age 88. He was the dean of South Carolina's agriculture science community, a nationally recognized agriculturalist, a model public servant, a Southern gentleman -- and a gentle man of the highest order, a loyal friend. He had a long and distinguished career mentoring young people and helping South Carolina's farmers. A native of Spartanburg County, he was born and grew up near Campobello, South Carolina. He was a Clemson graduate who taught agriculture education at Chester High School and in Anderson County schools. He advised and mentored hundreds of students in the Future Farmers of America and the Young Farmers Organization.

John directed the South Carolina Land Resources Commission and was the man who introduced to South Carolina's farmers drip irrigation and conservation tillage technology. In the nineties he led the work to pass South Carolina's Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act, which was the most innovative legislation in the country and served as the model for other states. In his twenty-two years leading the commission, John helped South Carolina's farmers and directly improved their land. The irony is that he lived in a modest apartment in Columbia. But from mining to landscape architecture to urban flood control, John was the man who best knew our land.

John was tireless, inquisitive, active, quirky and funny -- well into his eighth century. He never truly retired. In later years he was asked to serve in an interim capacity as Director of Clemson's Sandhills Research and Education Center. Later he was put in charge of public affairs for the SC FFA. His last position before his death was directing our state's agricultural news service at the Clemson Extension Service.

We miss John Parris. He never married, but his legacy lives in fertile fields across the Palmetto State, and in the generation of young South Carolinians that he inspired to become leaders in agriculture, conservation, public policy and other fields. As one former student said recently, "My father died when I was fourteen years old. John came along and became my father, in a sense. He was that type of guy."

The following co-sponsors were added to the respective Bills:
S. 83 (Word version)     Sen. Kimbrell
S. 103 (Word version)     Sens. Kimbrell and Verdin

On motion of Senator SUTTON, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mrs. Nathalie Dupree of Raleigh, N.C. Nathalie was an award-winning cookbook author and television personality with over fifteen cookbooks and three hundred television shows and was known as Queen of Southern Cooking. She co-founded the International Association of Culinary Professionals and was the founder of the Charleston Wine and Food Festival. She earned numerous awards throughout her career, including the Craig Claiborne Lifetime Achievement Award, was named the 2013 Woman of the Year award by The Maitre Cuisiniers de France, the James Beard Foundation Media Award and Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America in 2015. Nathalie was a loving wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother who will be dearly missed.

On motion of Senators RANKIN, HEMBREE, GOLDFINCH, WILLIAMS and SABB with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mrs. Gerri "Deana" McDaniels Safrit of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Deana owned an embroidery business and was a passionate member of the Horry County Republican Women's Club. Deana was a loving wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother who will be dearly missed.

On motion of Senator DEVINE, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Ms. Barbara Jean Perry Beaty Dotson of Columbia, S.C. Barbara graduated from Midlands Technical College with an associate's degree in business. She worked for several years at State Park Health Center and Chuck Ruff Realty. Barbara became an owner in Blue Ribbon Taxicab Company and later became the first African American president in 2000. She operated in that role until last year. Barbara was a loving mother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed.

At 11:04 A.M., on motion of Senator DEVINE, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., under the provisions of Rule 1B.

This web page was last updated on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:53 A.M.