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Date Published: July 30, 2004
Harvin eyes recovery in Charleston hospital
Longtime representative shows signs of improvement
By SHARRON HALEY
Item Staff Writer
shaley@theitem.com
State Rep. Alex Harvin, who was listed in serious but
stable condition in a Charleston hospital early Thursday, showed
signs of improvement Thursday afternoon.
"The doctors said
this afternoon that they did not find anything that cannot be
reversed," said Harvin's wife, Cathy, on Thursday evening. "He may
be taken out of intensive care as early as Friday
afternoon."
Cathy Harvin said her husband's recent bout in
the hospital was probably the result of poor blood
coagulation.
The 54-year-old Harvin, D-Summerton, was
admitted to Roper Hospital on July 22, according to his
wife.
On Thursday morning, Cathy Harvin, when reached at the
hospital on her mobile phone, said her husband was receiving
treatment in the hospital's intensive care unit.
|
HARVIN |
| Harvin has served
Clarendon County in the House for most of his adult life. He was
first elected in 1977 to represent House Dist. 64, and has served
continuously since then.
When Rep. Larry Koon, R-Lexington,
leaves office following the November elections, Harvin will be the
longest-serving state representative. Because of his longevity in
office, fellow Democrats named Harvin as the Democratic Majority
Leader Emeritus for the House in 1986.
"This is not the first
time that he has been in intensive care," Cathy Harvin
said.
In June 2002, Harvin was admitted to Roper's intensive
care unit for several days after experiencing pain in his abdominal
area.
Tests determined that a blocked vein in the stomach
area was the cause and medication was
prescribed.
"Representative Harvin has taught all of us in
the House a lot about courage, grace and complete commitment to
public service," said House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, who
has served in the House with Harvin since 1981.
"He is a
Southern gentleman who is a fierce advocate for his constituents and
the people of this state," Wilkins said. "Our thoughts are with Alex
and his family as we pray for his full and speedy
recovery."
"Alex has a lot of experience and knowledge on how
the House of Representatives works," said Rep. Murrell Smith,
R-Sumter. "For people like me, he has been a tremendous asset
because he knows the rules and he knows the people."
Harvin
has freely shared his expertise with colleagues on both sides of the
aisle, said Smith, who has been a member of the General Assembly
since 2001.
"Alex is one of the nicest men in the House," he
said. "He's generous with his time and his knowledge and that is a
tremendous asset. Alex has helped me and younger folks understand
how it works and that's invaluable."
Former Manning mayor
Pansy Ridgeway has known Harvin since he was a child. As she's
watched him climb the ranks, she said she never made a call to him
that he didn't return.
"He thrives on really helping his
constituents," she said. "Not just some, but everybody that calls on
him."
Ridgeway said that her prayers for a swift recovery are
with Harvin and his family.
"We've been fortunate to have him
serve our county in the manner that he has," Ridgeway said. "And, I
look forward to having him in the House for many more years to
come."
Contact Staff Writer Sharron Haley at shaley@theitem.com or
803-435-8511.
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July 30, 2004 
