[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN SPRATT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 17, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go 
to the family of former Congressman John Spratt. Representing South 
Carolina's Fifth District for nearly 30 years, Congressman Spratt was 
already the Dean of the South Carolina Delegation in the House when I 
assumed office. I had the privilege of serving with him on the Armed 
Services Committee, where he was a respected leader and very 
knowledgeable on a wide range of national security issues.
  Include in the Record the obituary of former Congressman John Spratt.

       John Spratt, a longtime member of the U.S. Congress from 
     South Carolina, died Saturday night, his daughter said.
       ``I am heartbroken to announce that my father passed away 
     last night,'' Catherine Spratt said on Facebook. He ``passed 
     away peacefully at home surrounded by family . . . due to 
     complications from Parkinson's disease.''
       Spratt, 82, a Democrat who represented South Carolina's 5th 
     District from 1983-2011, was mourned by President Joe Biden, 
     former President Bill Clinton and Current U.S. Rep. Jim 
     Clyburn, D-Santee, among others.
       ``Guided by his wit, wisdom, decency, and grace, John 
     deeply understood the promise of America, and he fought 
     tirelessly to bring people together to help us live up to 
     that promise,'' Biden wrote in a condolence letter to the 
     family, according to Catherine.
       The 5th District includes all of Cherokee, Chester, 
     Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Union and York counties, 
     in addition to parts of Newberry, Spartanburg and Sumter 
     counties.
       ``Today, the South Carolina Democratic Party joins 
     countless South Carolinians and Americans in mourning the 
     loss of a true statesman, former Congressman John Spratt. His 
     passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who 
     knew him, worked alongside him, and benefited from his 
     tireless advocacy for our state and nation,'' S.C. Democratic 
     Party Chair Christale Spain said Sunday. ``Congressman Spratt 
     represented South Carolina's 5th Congressional District with 
     unmatched dedication and grace for nearly three decades.''
       Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1942; Spratt grew up 
     in York, South Carolina, and graduated from both York High 
     School and Davidson College. He was awarded a Marshall 
     Scholarship to Oxford, where he studied economics, and earned 
     a Law degree from Yale.
       Spratt also served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71, rising to 
     the rank of captain, and was awarded the Meritorious Service 
     Medal, his daughter said.
       After being elected to Congress, Spratt was the second-
     highest ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. He 
     served as chairman of the House budget committee; among his 
     accomplishments was the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 
     1997.
       Although Spratt was known for his intellect and thoughtful 
     decisions, he was not averse to going to the ends of the 
     earth--literally--to seek to understand complicated areas of 
     the federal budget over which his committee assignments gave 
     him jurisdiction.
       In 1991, for example, Spratt spent 18 hours aboard a 
     nuclear-powered submarine as it cruised beneath the North 
     Pole.
       ``It was a very valuable experience,'' said, Spratt, 
     chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Panel at the time. 
     ``I certainly have a new appreciation for the very capable 
     men and women who staff these subs and the incredibly 
     diffIcult task they perform.''
       Camden Mayor Vincent Sheheen, a former state senator from 
     Kershaw County, said on Monday, ``I was a page in his office 
     in the summer of 1991, and he was so kind and inclusive to a 
     college student who didn't know anything. He was really a 
     teacher of all things to all people, from a lowly college 
     page to a corporate CEO, and he treated everyone the same.''
       Clinton said Spratt ``was a skilled and deeply principled 
     lawmaker,'' his daughter said. Clinton continued, saying 
     Spratt ``was masterful in his knowledge of policy and was 
     willing to work with anyone to pass legislation that would 
     make a difference in people's lives. He had a unique ability 
     of knowing when to hold the line and when to compromise, and 
     it earned him the respect of all in Washington. I'll always 
     be grateful for the chance to work with him, especially on 
     the Balanced Budget of 1997 which he co-authored and helped 
     produce record surpluses. John was a true public servant and 
     a really good man.''
       Closer to home in South Carolina, Spratt worked to settle 
     the Catawba Indian land claim that cleared the title to 225 
     square miles of land in York and Lancaster and paved the way 
     for development in the area to thrive, the Rock Hill Herald 
     previously reported. Spratt also was instrumental in securing 
     more than $120 million in building projects for Shaw Air 
     Force Base.
       ``Serving in Congress with John Spratt was one of the most 
     rewarding experiences of my life.'' Clyburn said on social 
     media. ``He was a friend and confidant, a colleague and 
     counselor, and a mentor and partner. His love of country and 
     respect for humanity were always on display. He was an 
     inconspicuous genius and the most ordinary, extraordinary 
     person I have ever known. I have been missing him for a long 
     time and will always remember his wise counsel.'' Spratt was 
     well respected by members of both sides of the aisle in 
     Congress.
       ``Above all else, John Spratt was an incredibly smart and 
     decent man. He dedicated his life to serving the people of 
     South Carolina,'' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca, said Monday. 
     ``While we were on opposite sides of the aisle, I appreciated 
     how John was always trying to find common ground for the 
     greater good. In my view, his disposition and approach to the 
     job represented the best of public service.
       John was a good friend, and he will be missed. May he rest 
     in peace.''
       Spratt is survived by wife, Jane Stacy Spratt; daughters 
     Susan Elizabeth Spratt (David Tendler), Sarah Stacy Spratt 
     (Brian Brennan), and Catherine Bratton Spratt, among other 
     family members. No funeral arrangements have. been announced.
       Mandy Powers Norell, Trav Robertson and Jaime Harrison were 
     among many involved in Palmetto State politics who shared 
     memorials about Spratt. ``Congressman John Spratt was my 
     friend, mentor, and one of the greatest statesmen in 
     Congress--and his passing breaks my heart. He was respected 
     by Democrats and Republicans alike in our beloved home state 
     of South Carolina as well as on Capitol Hill,'' Harrison 
     said.
       ``Congressman Spratt was a miracle worker. As chairman of 
     the House Budget Committee, he would find common ground to 
     get things done for the people--often engaging in shuttle 
     diplomacy to garner the support of a range of groups, from 
     Blue Dogs to Progressives. I often teased that Mr. Spratt had 
     probably forgotten more about the federal budget than the 
     majority of members had ever known.
       ``Congressman Spratt was brilliant, kind, and beloved by 
     many. I will miss him, but his work and his legacy will live 
     on with all of us.''

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