COLUMBIA, S.C. - Longtime Democratic state Sen. Don Holland of Camden died Sunday morning from a heart-related ailment, according to the Kershaw County coroner's office. He was 75.

Holland, an attorney, had served in the South Carolina Senate since 1969 and was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1951 to 1954 and again from 1957 to 1964.

He was taken from his home by ambulance to a hospital emergency room early Sunday morning, said Kershaw County Coroner Johnny Fellers. Fellers, who also was a friend of Holland's, said the cause of death was heart-related and came as a surprise.

"Kershaw County has lost a fine upstanding person," Fellers said.

Holland, who had been the longest-serving active lawmaker, sat on five Senate committees, including Judiciary, where he served as chairman until Republicans took control of the Senate in 2001 and scrapped that body's seniority system in favor of appointing committee heads based on party.

"Sen. Holland represented the highest ideals of public service and was a true statesman," said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. "He distinguished himself not only as a leader but also as the epitome of a true public servant."

Gov. Mark Sanford said Holland gave South Carolina "a lifetime of consistent advocacy."

"He's had a tremendous impact on the political process here in our state over the past six decades and during that time he's earned the trust and respect of his colleagues in both Houses and on both sides of the aisle," said Sanford, a Republican.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said when Holland was Judiciary chairman, he gave equal time to the other side of the aisle, which then was in the minority. "He was respectful of the minority and promoted open debate," Wilson said.

Fellow Democrat Sen. John Land, D-Manning, said Holland was always a gentleman and always had a joke to tell.

"I don't think you could find anyone to say anything harsh against Don Holland," Land said. "I think the greatest thing you could say about Don Holland was if he was your friend, he was your friend. ... He was just a great American, a great South Carolinian ... he was a person you could depend on."

Land said Holland was a very young veteran of World War II - he would have been just 17 when the war ended in 1945.

He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1951 and later that year married Betty Bell of Kershaw. The couple has one daughter, Lisa.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Sunday evening. Kornegay Funeral Home in Camden was handling services.