Sanford Praises Urban League's Efforts

GREENVILLE, S.C -- Gov. Mark Sanford praised the Urban League of the Upstate on Thursday night for what he called its fight for educational and economic freedom.

Sanford addressed the 600 people who attended the 31st annual Equal Opportunity Day dinner in Greenville on Thursday.

He says he likes the Urban League's low-key, business-oriented approach to helping more black people enter the nation's economic mainstream.

Sanford praised the organization for promoting achievement, good citizenship and perseverance.

The event follows months of fighting in Greenville County over a paid holiday for county employees honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Sanford said it is a time for the community to come together.

"The number of civic leaders both black and white that you see here is part of saying 'Yeah, we've got some disagreements over here but we also have a lot of agreement,' " Sanford said.

The Republican governor has made a concerted effort to reach out to black voters.

He told the group his is the first Republican administration in South Carolina to have three African-American Cabinet members.

Curtis Johnson, pastor of Valley Brook Baptist Church in Pelzer, said that he appreciates Sanford's "expression of embracing of diversity."