Date Published: October 13, 2005   

State leaders remember Harvin

Also Read Alex Harvin dies

By LESLIE CANTU
Item Staff Writer
lesliec@theitem.com

Politicians of every persuasion called the late state Rep. Alex Harvin, D-Summerton, a friend Wednesday as news of his death spread across the state.

Most had known him for years and remembered his friendliness, consideration and warmth.

"When you think of Alex, you think of the true Southern gentleman," said David Wilkins, U.S. ambassador to Canada who formerly served as the Speaker of the South Carolina House.

Harvin spoke to everyone, Wilkins said, from the newest employee to the governor. And as the longest-serving member of the House, Harvin knew a number of governors — he worked with six.

Dick Riley, who served as governor from 1979 to 1987 and later as U.S. secretary of education, called Harvin a "great friend." Harvin loved serving the people of Clarendon and South Carolina, Riley said.

Colleagues agreed that Harvin's concern was always for his constituents.

State Rep. Kenneth Kennedy, D-Williamsburg, was Harvin's seatmate in the House for 15 years. Harvin took Kennedy under his wing, Kennedy said, and showed him how to be a legislator.

"I went up there green, and Alex taught me what it means to be a servant to the people," Kennedy said.

Power can go to some politicians' heads, but not Harvin's, Kennedy said. He remembered that sometimes Harvin would have to "pull my coattails" and remind him, "Ken, this is not about you. This is not about you. This is about the people back home that you serve."

There's probably not a person in Clarendon County who hasn't received some sort of note or letter from Harvin, Kennedy said.

State Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said Harvin would monitor the newspapers to send congratulatory notes to friends and constituents. Through the years, Smith himself probably received 20 congratulatory notes from Harvin, he said.

"His constituent service is legendary over at the Statehouse," Smith said.

State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum was also a recipient of Harvin's personal touch. When she married in 1984 she didn't know Harvin very well, but he still took it upon himself to pass a resolution in the House declaring the Tenenbaums' wedding day "Sam and Inez Day."

"I thought that was very nice. I still have the resolution," she said.

Attorney General Henry McMaster, who's known Harvin "at least" 30 years, said Harvin was always thinking of others. He'd continually write congratulatory notes or thank-you notes, McMaster said.

"He personified friendliness and happiness and was always thinking of others, and it had an enormous effect on people," McMaster said.

Charles Reid, the clerk of the House, recalled one moment that exemplified Harvin's concern for others. One day, after a particularly contentious debate, the House had adjourned and Reid was sitting alone at his computer.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Harvin.

"He looked at me and said, 'Are you all right, Charles?'" Reid said. Reid replied that he was simply tired, and Harvin told him he was doing a good job and would have a long career with the House.

"We're all going to miss him in so many ways," Reid said.

State Rep. David Weeks, D-Sumter, has known Harvin since their involvement in the Young Democrats in the early 1970s.

"He embraced the Democratic Party philosophy of being there for the little man," Weeks said.

Harvin had a keen eye for politics, Weeks said, but was also "a down-home person who always engaged folk in conversation."

"Even during his sickness, he made it back to Columbia as often as he could," Weeks said.

Harvin wasn't short on political courage, either.

State Sen. Kay Patterson, D-Richland, considered Harvin a friend and enjoyed going to lunch with him. But he also appreciated that Harvin was willing to stand up and be counted among Patterson's supporters as Patterson worked on the Confederate flag issue.

Wilkins said he'll always remember Harvin's support when he first ran for the speaker position. "That took a lot of courage, because he was a Democrat," Wilkins said.

Harvin was a strong Democrat, Kennedy said, but he knew he needed to work with the entire House to get results for his constituents.

"Alex taught me how to get across party lines," he said.

Harvin was especially knowledgeable about health care issues, state Sen. Phil Leventis, D-Sumter, said, and was always interested in rural development. "His greatest contribution was as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. He brought tremendous resources to Clarendon County and our whole area," Leventis said.

"He was a fine, fine representative for Clarendon County," Smith said.

But Leventis said he particularly remembers Harvin's energy and youth. Even as Harvin grew older, Leventis said, he always projected youth and energy.

U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., agreed, saying Harvin "always seemed up and optimistic and energetic."

"It's hard to believe that Alex, at his age, is gone," Spratt said.

Harvin was the type of person, Spratt said, whose opinion was sought after because he always thought through situations and stayed on top of current events.

State Sen. Yancey McGill, D-Williamsburg, called Harvin "one of the finest Godly men that I have ever met."

"His love for his fellow man is second to none," McGill said.

That love included helping new representatives. Smith said Harvin was one of the first to call and congratulate him when he was first elected to the House, and offered advice on everything from how to get along with other representatives to how to ask for committee assignments.

Tenenbaum said Harvin set an example for others in public service.

"He was the model of a public servant, always thinking of the people in his district, having personal relationships with people in his district, and always finding ways to make their life better," she said.


Contact Staff Writer Leslie Cantu at lesliec@theitem.com or 803-774-1250.