NO. 21

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 WALKER.

The following remarks by Senator SABB were ordered printed in the Journal of February 11, 2025:

Thank you, Mr. PRESIDENT and members. Members of the Senate, I rise to discuss an issue that is very hot and heavy in our country and in our State. The issue is associated with DEI, and what it means to address the issue. And so quite frankly, I just thought that it would be a good idea for us to have a candid conversation in the Senate on that. And so, I thought it fitting this morning that the Chairman of Medical Affairs, Senator VERDIN, had us give immediate consideration to acknowledging the fact that we have some people in our State with disabilities. People who should have, and we ought to do everything we can to afford them to have, the opportunity to live a prosperous meaningful life in our State.

And so, what I want to talk about for the couple of minutes that I've been given is just this whole notion of a fair shot. Everyone having an opportunity to enjoy life, liberty and all the other guarantees that our constitution gives. And so, as we create a policy along the lines of making sure that there is no discrimination in our State -- that's what I glean from some of my friends and neighbors who have talked about the issue. We think that the idea of diversity, equity and inclusion is discriminatory, and that it gives an unfair advantage to the folks that it's designed to help. And so, we want to root out discrimination. We want to make sure that everybody in our State has a fair shot. I think that's fair enough. I think it's absolutely fair enough if we all fully commit to ridding the State of discrimination, unfair treatment and all of those kinds of things.

So, my point and my challenge are for us not to stop there. Let us investigate. Let us be diligent about making sure that everybody has a chance. When we think about education and those who don't have what others have -- come on y'all. Let's commit ourselves to making sure that everybody gets a fair shot -- making sure that everybody has access to a quality education, hearing, health care -- let's commit ourselves to give everybody a fair shot.

And so, all I'm saying is this -- as we have this meaningful conversation on this issue, and to the extent that our efforts are genuine, and making sure that everyone has a chance and nobody's mistreated. I think that's an important principle for us all to adopt. All I'm suggesting is this -- let's not view that issue in a vacuum. Let's be real about what's happening in our State and what's happening in our country. And then let us just focus and commit to doing everything we can to make sure that the playing fields are level and that our folks with disabilities get a fair shot -- get an opportunity to work. And let's look at the effects of the policies. And make sure when we look at our institutions that they reflective of who we are. So, I don't look at the conversation as being an unhealthy one. I look at it as being a base live opportunity for us to focus. And so, all I'm saying is as we discuss the issue, let us discuss it with South Carolinians in such a way that they understand we're not picking on anybody. We're not trying to hurt anybody. We're here to serve the greater good. And that as a Body, esteemed members of South Carolina Senate, we are prepared to lead on that issue. We're prepared to lead and make sure that every opportunity we get to stamp out discrimination -- we're going to step forward and do it. Every opportunity we get to make sure that everybody has a fair shot and a fair chance -- we're going to do it because it's the right thing to do. So, I embrace the notion to the extent that it gives us an opportunity to every once in a while to judge. And when we have a communion, a part of our covenant says let a man examine himself, so then let him eat and drink. All I'm suggesting is let us examine ourselves.

Thank you, sir. I'm winding down. So let us examine ourselves as we focus on the issue. Let us not be single in our thought processes. Let us look at the whole thing holistically. I think it presents us an opportunity and I look forward to having the conversation. Thank you, Mr. PRESIDENT.

On motion of Senator DEVINE, with unanimous consent, the remarks of Senator SABB were ordered printed in the Journal.

At 11:04 A.M., on motion of Senator CROMER, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 12:00 Noon.

This web page was last updated on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:10 A.M.