Racial Relations Commission News Conference
December 19, 1995
Thanks for joining me today for what is one of the greatest steps forward in race relations ever taken in the state of South Carolina.
Just over one month ago today, I was the first governor to give the keynote to the Columbia Urban League at its Equal Opportunity Day dinner.
That night I promised the Urban League and every citizen of South Carolina that racism in any form would not be tolerated in our state, and that I was committed to taking a hard look at the problems dividing us by color and culture.
I talked of a task force whose mission it would be to take stock of our status in racial relations, the direction we need to go, and begin drawing a road map to get there.
And today you see before you the culmination of that conversation...a true cross-section of the South Carolina community from every region and walk of life. I'm proud to introduce to you South Carolina's Commission on Racial Relations.
Looking at this group, you can see some obvious differences. But in the end, we're all South Carolinians who love our state and want to see it grow and prosper.
The first step toward progress is to open our grip to accept new hands as partners, instead of building a wall between "us and them" that forces us to work at cross-purposes.
It's time to tear down that wall, brick by brick, and replace it with a bridge of friendship so that we're talking to each other, getting to know one another better and creating a dialogue that's honest and constructive.
It's only when we look into the face of a friend who's suffered from bigotry that we can begin to understand the depth of its pain.
And it's only when we begin to see with new eyes what's happening in South Carolina's streets, neighborhoods and businesses that we can seek and destroy the enemy within.
But just like a surgeon, you can't treat a disease until you have all the X-rays and tests in front of you. Just like a soldier, you can't target an enemy until you know where his camp is and have a plan of attack.
This Commission on Racial Relations is going to look for input from all regions, all colors, all religions, and all sectors of our population...all with some basic questions in mind. Where are we in racial relations and tolerance in our state? Why? And most importantly, what can we do to create a climate that fosters respect and dignity for every citizen?
Now, no one ever erected a monument to a committee. A lot of people will be depending on this group to do more than sit around and talk. I'm going to be asking for specific proposals based on their discussions and analysis.
And let me say it again so there's no misunderstanding. Racism cannot be and will not be tolerated on any level, at any place, in any circumstance, by anyone in South Carolina. Period.
Yes, the problems that divide us are deep-seated, and unearthing them may be painful. But I'm committed to putting the full weight of my office behind this effort to improve racial relations, create a climate of tolerance, and expand opportunity for all our people. Our common future depends on creating a common ground for each citizen to stand on.
So it's my honor and privilege to sign this executive order...dated December 19th, 1995...creating the South Carolina Commission on Racial Relations.
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Jim Adamson of Spartanburg, C-E-O of Flagstar Corporation;
David Bishop of Myrtle Beach, President of Waccamaw Development;
The Very Reverend Sam Candler, Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia;
Clarence Davis, an attorney with Nelson-Mullins law firm in Columbia and chairman of the Jobs and Economic Development Authority Board;
Tony Grant of Columbia, Senior Vice President of NationsBank;
Chief Reuben Greenburg, Police Chief of Charleston;
Representative Jean Harris of Cheraw;
The Honorable David Harwell of Florence, former Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court;
Isadore (IHZ-uh-door) Lourie, former state senator and a private-practicing attorney in Columbia;
Senator John Matthews of Bowman;
Senator Glenn McConnell of Charleston;
Dr. Jack McConnell of Hilton Head, who's set up a local clinic for the Native Islander community;
J-T McLawhorn, Executive Director of the Columbia Urban League;
Jim Noland, of Greenville, Director of Personnel for Michelin-North America;
Linda Robinson, of the Human Resources Division of Greenville Hospital System;
Alex Sanders, President of the College of Charleston;
Tim Scott of the Charleston County Council;
Sterling Sharpe of Columbia, professional football player and an analyst with ESPN;
SLED Chief Robert Stewart of Columbia; and
Wanda George Warren of Rock Hill, Transition Director of the Catawba Indian Nation.