(Columbia) April 28, 2005 - House Speaker David
Wilkins has been selected by President Bush to be the
new ambassador to Canada.
Speaker Wilkins reacted to the appointment on
Wednesday evening, "My highest goal is to bring honor to
my nation and the nation of Canada."
Wilkins also said he is thrilled and thankful of the
president's confidence. He says his only trip to Canada
was in the 1970s when he was in the US Army reserves.
Wilkins says he took three years of French in college,
but he says he does not speak the language.
He addressed the House on Thursday, "We are very,
very excited and we're very appreciative to President
Bush for his confidence and his trust. We're honored. We
feel very fortunate to be given this wonderful
opportunity. I also want you to know from the
bottom of my heart that I understand that whatever
successes I have enjoyed, whatever honors I
have received, it is because of you and your hard work
and your dedication and your love of our great
state."
Wednesday night he became the White House's official
nominee, a move that will likely leave the state without
a top leader.
He was elected to the House in 1981, and has been
House Speaker for ten years.
Hunter Howard with the SC Chamber of Commerce says
Wilkins has had a defining role in almost
every major issue in the Palmetto State, especially the
Confederate Flag and video poker, "David Wilkins
has been in the middle of each one of those. He's the
person who brought it together and made it happen."
Laura Hudson is an advocate for crime victims. She
says Wilkins has been one too, by toughening DUI laws
and prison sentencing, "Frankly, I'm really emotional
about him leaving. I have mixed feelings. I know he's
going to do a great job, but he's going to be so
missed."
Wilkins would replace Paul Cellucci. The
ambassadorship offers political and professional
dividends. Democratic US Senator Josephine Biden has
said Wilkins should have no problems being confirmed by
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He should keep the Speaker's gavel through the end of
the legislative session June 2nd.
Reported by Catherine
Reynolds
Updated 12:34pm by Chantelle
Janelle
