It's been a privilege to serve South Carolina

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums Guest column • David H. Wilkins: It's been a privilege to serve South Carolina (06/02/05) • Eric Stewart: U.S., European economies benefit from partnership (06/01/05) • Butch Kirven: Greenville County needs authority over planning department (05/31/05) • Terry Weaver: Upstate must transform its economy in changing world (05/30/05) • Cathy Stevens: People the world over seek much the same things (05/29/05)

• I always knew this day would come. But I never really reconciled myself to it — until now. I guess I never wanted it to come. But it has. And now it's time to say goodbye. I'm really going to miss all of you.

In early March of this year, I received the call from the White House informing me the president wanted me to serve as our country's ambassador to Canada. On that very day, the Rev. Seastrunk opened up our session with the 34th Psalm, verse four: "I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears."

God has perfect timing and I'm confident he sent me the sign I needed right when I needed it.

Leaving all of you — and this institution I have loved so much for so long — is truly an act of faith. It comes on the heels of much prayer and careful consideration. But I know it's the right decision for Susan and me.

It's time to move on. And it's time for all of you to let me go. (For some I suspect that will be a lot easier than for others!)

It's been said, "Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." Well, this is about as daring as it gets for Susan and me.

And we are both humbled and awed by the faith and trust President Bush has placed in us. We intend to make him — and all of you — proud.

We're thrilled about the opportunities and challenges that await us in Canada. Thrilled to make new Canadian friends. Thrilled to be given this opportunity to help build more bridges between our country and our neighbor to the north.

Mostly I'm honored to represent my country — and my state — in the nation that shares not only our borders but our longstanding commitment to independence.

It's a privilege I haven't fully grasped yet and like I've said so often to the countless teams who have graced our chamber over the years, one I'll probably appreciate even more 20 years from now than I do today!

And yes — you keep winning and I'll keep celebrating!

If you had told me 25 years ago that I'd be standing before all of you now, 11 years as your speaker, leaving to become ambassador to Canada, it would have defied all logic. Back in 1981, when I was one of only 18 Republicans in the South Carolina House, I had every intention of serving only a couple of years before heading back to Greenville.

But as all of you know so well this place just gets in your blood and decades pass while you're busy looking ahead.

Now I stand between the chapters of my life.

And it is with profound gratitude that I conclude this chapter and prepare to write the next.

I have been richly blessed and I truly understand that the credit first belongs to God and then to my family and friends like you who've given me both roots and wings. So if I've soared it's because I was propelled by that support. And I am thankful.

I have a beautiful and supportive wife who is willing to make this great adventure with me. I have two healthy sons and our daughter-in-law who have brought nothing but pride and joy to Susan and me.

And I have years of wonderful memories in this House.

I have spent most of my adult life — a quarter of a century in this body — and it truly has been the privilege of a lifetime.

I love this institution.

I love the process of lawmaking — those times when you know you've really made a difference and touched the lives of others.

I have an abiding respect for our forefathers who envisioned a government run by the people for the people.

And as we watch citizens of the world in faraway places like Ukraine and Iraq risk everything in freedom's name, we appreciate even more the blessings of liberty.

As all of you know — this democracy of ours sure isn't perfect. But it's good. And it's always worth protecting and defending. And improving.

God bless you. And God bless South Carolina.

David H. Wilkins is the country's new ambassador to Canada. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1980 as a representative from District 24 in Greenville, was elected House speaker in December 1994 and will resign June 21 as speaker to accept his new post.