Bill Text: SC H4437 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Draft


Bill Title: Honorable Ernest F. Hollings

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-10 - Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence [H4437 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H4437-Draft.html


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE ERNEST F. "FRITZ" HOLLINGS OF CHARLESTON COUNTY, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are deeply saddened by the passing on April 6, 2019, of the Honorable Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings of Charleston County, former South Carolina House member, governor, and U.S. senator from South Carolina. He was ninety-seven; and

Whereas, born in Charleston, Fritz Hollings graduated from The Citadel Military College in 1942 and joined a law practice in Charleston after earning a juris doctor degree at the University of South Carolina School of Law. During World War II, he served as an artillery officer in campaigns in North Africa and Europe; and

Whereas, after the war, he successively won election to the South Carolina House of Representatives, to the office of lieutenant governor, and to that of governor. In 1965, Fritz Hollings won a special election to serve the remainder of Senator Olin D. Johnston's term. Senator Hollings remained popular and continually won re-election, becoming one of the longest-serving senators in U.S. history; and

Whereas, as governor of South Carolina from 1959 to 1963, Fritz Hollings worked to improve the state's educational system, helping to bring more industry and employment opportunities to the State. His term in office saw the establishment of the state's highly respected technical education system and educational television network. He also called for, and achieved, significant increases in teachers' salaries, bringing them closer to the regional average, and he played a key role in integrating South Carolina schools; and

Whereas, for thirty-two years, he sat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, also serving as chair of the Senate Budget Committee, as a member of which he co-sponsored the Graham-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act (1985). He twice served as chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Further, Fritz Hollings is known as the "Father of NOAA," for his campaign to found the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and

Whereas, for thirty-eight years (until January 2005), he served as a U.S. senator alongside Republican Strom Thurmond, making them the longest-serving Senate duo in the history of the United States to date. This also made Fritz Hollings the longest-serving junior senator, even though he had more seniority than all but a few of his colleagues. Senators Thurmond and Hollings generally had a good relationship and frequently collaborated on legislation and projects to benefit South Carolina. Their combined seniority gave South Carolina clout in national politics well beyond its relatively small population; and

Whereas, colleagues paid tribute to Fritz Hollings, then ninety-five, at the unveiling of a statue of the retired senator on April 17, 2017, in the garden of the J. Waties Waring Judicial Center, Charleston's federal courthouse; and

Whereas, remembering Fritz Hollings, Governor Henry McMaster offered this tribute: "Fierce, bold, and robust--the sounds of Fritz Hollings' vision and drive for the Palmetto State will continue to be heard by generations. The greatness and success of this State has benefited from the hand of his leadership." Yes, South Carolina will remember Fritz Hollings with gratitude, and he will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings of Charleston County, celebrate his life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Michael Milhous Hollings for the family.

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