email this
print this.gif){kind=spacer}
Portrait, ceremony in House chamber honor Wilkins
And in the Senate chamber, a circus ringleader takes a bow
From Staff and Wire Reports
A portrait of former House Speaker David Wilkins was unveiled Thursday in the chamber he led for 11 years as the state’s third-longest-serving speaker.
Lawmakers packed the chamber to show their appreciation for Wilkins, a Greenville Republican who resigned last June to become U.S. ambassador to Canada. The roughly 30-minute program included seven standing ovations.
“There’s no place like home,” Wilkins said in his speech. “I love this institution. I love you guys. ... I am truly, truly grateful for this opportunity to stand with you once again in front of this majestic chamber.”
Before and after the unveiling, Wilkins autographed programs as lawmakers lined up to shake his hand.
The new speaker, Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said Wilkins “led the state through some of the most troubled times,” including the push to ban video poker and a compromise on taking the Confederate flag off the State House dome.
House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, said Wilkins was loved by both Republicans and Democrats because he listened to both parties before making a decision, treated members fairly and staunchly defended the House from outside criticism.
Wilkins’ wife, Susan, son Robert and daughter-in-law Stephanie unveiled the portrait, which will hang on the chamber wall opposite the portrait of Solomon Blatt, a Barnwell County Democrat who served as House speaker for 31 years. James Simons Sr. of Charleston was the second-longest-serving speaker, in office from 1850 to 1862.
Wilkins became the first Republican speaker since Reconstruction when House members first elected him in December 1994.
In other news:
• Ringmaster shows up in Senate. Columbia native and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus ringmaster Tyron McFarlan lent a little levity to the Senate when he was honored with a resolution.
Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, introduced the former Army National Guard captain, who sat in the Senate balcony. Upon cajoling from Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, McFarlan closed the day’s session with a booming rendition of the circus’ signature opening: “The one, the only, the greatest show on earth!”
Malloy added that it would be nice if McFarlan were in the State House all the time, to help with “this multi-ring circus up here.”
• Charters next week. The Senate failed Thursday to take up a bill creating a new statewide district to boost the number of charter schools in South Carolina. Leaders said the measure is likely to be debated next week.
.gif)
