South Carolina General Assembly

116th Session, 2005-2006

H. 4198

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution

Sponsors: Reps. Vaughn, Allen, Cato, Hamilton, Haskins, Leach, Loftis, Rice, F.N.Smith, G.R.Smith, Taylor, Tripp, Agnew, Altman, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Brady, Branham, Breeland, G.Brown, J.Brown, R.Brown, Ceips, Chalk, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, CobbHunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Frye, Funderburk, Govan, Hagood, Haley, Hardwick, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Hayes, Herbkersman, J.Hines, M.Hines, Hinson, Hiott, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, MoodyLawrence, J.H.Neal, J.M.Neal, Neilson, Norman, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H.Pitts, M.A.Pitts, Rhoad, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C.Smith, G.M.Smith, J.E.Smith, J.R.Smith, W.D.Smith, Stewart, Talley, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Umphlett, Vick, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young

Document Path: l:\council\bills\ms\7534ahb05.doc

Introduced in the House on May 25, 2005

Adopted by the House on May 25, 2005

Summary: The Honorable David Horton Wilkins

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

5/25/2005HouseIntroduced and adopted HJ2

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/25/2005

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND THE HONORABLE DAVID HORTON WILKINS OF GREENVILLE, SPEAKER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ON HIS MERITORIOUS TWENTY-FIVE YEAR LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND TO BID HIM A FOND FAREWELL AS HE UNDERTAKES HIS NEW ROLE SERVING OUR NATION AS AMBASSADOR TO CANADA.

Whereas, born on October 12, 1946, the son of the late William Walter Wilkins and the late Evelyn Wilkins, David Horton Wilkins of Greenville learned the importance of public service early on; and

Whereas, he has been a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for twenty-five years and at the time of his election in December of 1994 was the first Republican-elected Speaker of any state legislative body in the South since Reconstruction; and

Whereas, David Wilkins quickly rose to a position of leadership in the House serving with distinction as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for six years and then as Speaker Pro Tempore for two years before his historic election as Speaker; and

Whereas, this consummate Republican with superior intellect from the upstate also managed to build a reputation of generosity and fairness to members from both sides of the aisle and is universally respected as a result; and

Whereas, over the years he guided the House through such complex issues as welfare reform, property tax relief, education accountability, the creation of LIFE scholarships, judicial reform, government restructuring, redistricting, truth in sentencing, and most recently major tort reform, medical malpractice reform, and criminal domestic violence reform; and

Whereas, David Wilkins was also instrumental in crafting historic ethics reform and played a crucial role in the turbulent fight to ban video poker in the State; and

Whereas, during his tenure as Speaker, he continuously upheld the integrity of the House of Representatives and is known for the professionalism, energy, dedication, and determination with which he conducted the business of the House; and

Whereas, Speaker Wilkins guided the course of the House for over a decade through both good and bad financial times, and he will always be remembered for his appreciation and support of the House staff even as other state agencies were forced to furlough employees; and

Whereas, a close friend and colleague of President George W. Bush, he has been selected to serve as Ambassador to Canada – our State’s great loss is most certainly our nation’s gain; and

Whereas, David Wilkins is imminently qualified to be the next Ambassador to Canada. His ability to communicate the interests of the United States in his trademark clear, concise, and persuasive manner coupled with his vast legal and business experience will serve our nation well as he serves as diplomatic representative of this country to our significant trading partner; and

Whereas, though his public accomplishments are many, the Speaker is also a devoted family man. He is the husband of his beloved wife Susan Clary of Gaffney and the proud father of two sons: James and Robert; and

Whereas, the citizens of House District 24 and of the State, as well as the members and staff of the legislature, will miss the steadying influence and strength of character with which Speaker Wilkins led the State into the twenty-first century; and

Whereas, the legacy of this true statesman is extraordinary and unmatched, and it is with great pleasure and respect that his colleagues desire to recognize his strength, loyalty, and leadership for more than two decades in the House of Representatives and to publicly applaud his dedication to the high calling of public service. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, commend the Honorable David Horton Wilkins of Greenville, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on his meritorious twenty-five year legislative career and bid him a fond farewell as he undertakes his new role serving our nation as Ambassador to Canada.

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