Top honor surprises House speaker

e-mail this story More details David H. Wilkins Born: Oct. 12, 1946 in Greenville. Education: Clemson University, bachelor of arts degree, 1968; University of South Carolina Law School, 1971. Family: Wife, Susan Clary Wilkins; two sons, James and Robert. Church: First Baptist. Career: Practicing attorney, 1971 -; elected to state House, 1981; chairman, Judiciary Committee, 1986-92; speaker pro tempore, 1992-94; elected speaker, Dec. 6, 1994; member, Board of Visitors United States Military Academy; state chairman, Bush-Cheney 2004.

That's a necessary quality for successfully juggling family, law practice and legislative leadership responsibilities.

It paid off Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Greenville's Wilkins was a joint recipient of the 2004 Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award from two non-partisan national organizations.

An "honored and flattered" Wilkins said his fellow legislators should share in the award, having helped make it possible.

Susan Wilkins said the award, and others he has received over the years, "are always a real surprise to him. I love that about him."

Her husband, she says, has a knack for squeezing more into a day than anyone she knows.

"When the boys were in high school, he would get in the car, leave Columbia and get to their tennis matches or football practices, then head straight back to Columbia," she said. "He's always there, someone I can count on and someone the boys can count on."

That holds true for the region and state, said politicians of both parties and business interests.

Thursday's award, in which Wilkins was selected over hundreds of legislative leaders from around the nation, was presented by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.

Joint honor

He received the award jointly with Robert M. Ward, Connecticut House minority leader. They are the eighth and ninth recipients of the award, created in 1996. Each received a $5,000 check to the charity of his choice.

After 16 years of Greenville governors — Democrat Dick Riley from 1979 until 1987 and Republican Carroll Campbell from 1987 until 1995 — Wilkins' ascension to the speaker's chair in 1995 helped fill the region's political void.

But he also has a statewide focus, fellow legislators said.

Rep. Fletcher Smith, D-Greenville, said Wilkins has "demonstrated he can put together coalitions of Democrats and Republicans to move South Carolina forward."

Wilkins has written or co-sponsored legislation on welfare reform, property tax relief, education accountability, LIFE scholarships, judicial reform, government restructuring, and truth-in-sentencing.

Smith said Wilkins is "willing to listen to all sides of the issue, even if he disagrees with you. He's willing to compromise on issues that do not compromise his principles."

Sen. Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville, who previously served in the House with Wilkins, said when historians write the history of South Carolina during Wilkins' time as speaker, he will be compared to Barnwell's legendary Sol Blatt.

Without Wilkins' support, Anderson said several projects in Greenville's African-American community — the expansion of the Phillis Wheatley Center, the Viola Street revitalization project and the Pleasant Valley Connection — would never have happened.

"On behalf of the African-American community in Greenville County, we thank him," he said.

'Good legislator'

Mack Whittle, president and CEO of South Financial Group, described Wilkins as "a good legislator who can effectively negotiate to seek the result that generates the best for the citizens of South Carolina."

"If we had more legislators that thought like David and could communicate like David and get the results David has been able to get, then I think the state would be a lot further along than it is now," Whittle said.

Former Greenville mayor Max Heller, a Democrat, said Wilkins' leadership extends across party lines.

"Even those who may have different views than he respect him because he is up front with them," Heller said. "He's a man of high integrity, he's trustworthy, he's dependable, and that is a very important asset in not only private life, but certainly in public life."

Bobby Hitt, manager of public affairs at BMW, said he considers Wilkins a "true statesman whose ego is very rarely in his work, if ever. That's a hallmark for elected officials."

Hitt said the Upstate "has benefited because Wilkins has made sure the region has had representation on committees and boards with vital importance to the growth of the Upstate, like transportation and the state Infrastructure Bank."

Wilkins couldn't have received the award without bipartisan nominations. One of them came from House Minority Leader James Smith, D-Columbia, who lauded the speaker for having led the House "in a fair and evenhanded manner."

Leaders only

Recipients are selected by an independent committee composed of academicians and leaders from the public and private. Only those holding legislative leadership positions are eligible.

Sponsors said the award recognizes a leader who has worked to build and preserve public trust in a career embodied by integrity, leadership, courage and high ethical standards.

State Sen. David Thomas, R-Fountain Inn, said in Wilkins "the Upstate has provided a speaker who has been significantly impactful in everything that happens. It gives a sense of stature to the Upstate."

But Thomas said, "One thing I've never seen from him is territorial puffery for his region. He tries to help the Upstate when it comes to economic development when he can, but it's not at the expense of anybody else."

Wilkins' handling of two tense, emotional issues — video poker and the Confederate flag — were instrumental in his selection, sponsors said.

"I may get credit for it, but credit is deserved by the entire General Assembly," Wilkins said.

Tough issues

Wilkins helped steer a compromise through the Legislature in 2000, one that moved the controversial banner from the Statehouse dome to the grounds.

With the late Rep. Terry Haskins, R-Greenville, he was a key player in crafting legislation that led to the demise of video poker gambling in South Carolina.

Gov. Mark Sanford, with whom Wilkins has sometimes disagreed on legislation and tactics, cited his "tremendous respect" for Wilkins who "clearly deserves" the honor.

Sen. Verne Smith, R-Greer, said he doubts there is anyone more deserving than Wilkins. "While I don't always agree with him, I think he's right the biggest part of the time."

Smith said Wilkins is the most powerful speaker in a generation and "by far the most important, the most powerful member of the General Assembly, excluding none."

To Rep. Bob Leach, R-Greer, Wilkins is "the most powerful man in South Carolina, bar none, including the governor. I hope he decides to stick around for a long time because we sure do need him."