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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E857-E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN W. MATTHEWS, JR.
______
HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear
friend and a true public servant. Senator John Wesley Matthews, Jr. is
retiring after 46 years of service in the South Carolina State
Legislature. He is renowned for his commitment to education and job
creation especially in Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester and
Orangeburg counties, which he proudly serves. His leadership and
tireless dedication will truly be missed.
John, a son of South Carolina, was born to Reverend John Wesley, Sr.
and Victoria Williams Matthews. He is a graduate of South Carolina
State College (now University), Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College,
and Lincoln Electrical Institute.
John began his career as a public-school teacher and rose to become a
school principal. He was also a small business owner. These experiences
led him to seek elective office and he ran for the South Carolina State
House. He served as a State Representative from 1975 to 1984, when he
ran for the State Senate. He has held the Senate District No. 39 seat
since 1985.
While in the Senate, John served as a member of the Senate Education,
Finance, Banking & Insurance Committee, the Agriculture & Natural
Resources Committee, and the Ethics and Interstate Cooperation
Committee. He currently serves as the Assistant Minority Leader in the
State Senate and as Chairman of the Orangeburg County Legislative
Delegation. He has previously served as Chairman of the South Carolina
Legislative Black Caucus and as a member of the Southern Regional
Education Board, the Education Oversight Committee, a member of the
2016 Democratic National Platform Committee and a member of the
Governor's Middle Grades Task Force.
In 2004, I was proud to be on hand, when the Orangeburg County
Council named a 500-acre site at the intersections of U.S. Highways 301
and 176 the John W. Matthews Industrial Park. Our alma mater, South
Carolina State also honored John in 2006 with the naming of the John W.
Matthews, Jr. 1890 Extension Building. Last year, the South Carolina
Senate unveiled a portrait of their colleague, currently the longest
serving South Carolina State legislator. The portrait hangs in the
Chamber. These honors are richly deserved and represent the impact that
John has had on his native state.
In addition to his service in the General Assembly, John has served
his community in many other capacities. He has served as a member of
the South Carolina Education Association, the Orangeburg County
Education Association, the Clemson University Board of Visitors, the
Medical University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, the Winthrop
Board of Visitors, the Human Affairs Commission Board of Trustees, the
Voorhees College Board of Trustees, and the Claflin University Capital
Campaign Steering Committee.
John has received numerous awards over the years including induction
into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame and being named Minority
Business Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration
and South Carolina Primary Health Care Legislator of the Year. He is
also a recipient of the South Carolina Independent Colleges &
Universities Legislative Champion Award, the Wilkins Legislative
Leadership Award, the Ernest Finney Chairmen's Award, the Orangeburg
Chapter NAACP Exceptional Legislative Service Award, the Congressman
Clyburn and Congressman John Spratt Public Service Award, the SC
Alliance for Mobile Infrastructure Elected Official of the Year Award
and the National Trends and Services Award of the Orangeburg Chapter of
the Links, Inc.
He has received honorary doctorates from South Carolina State
University, the College of Charleston and the Medical University of
South Carolina.
John was married to the late Geraldine Hillard Matthews, and the
couple had five children. He attends Pineville United Methodist Church
and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in
celebrating the tremendous service John W. Matthews has provided to the
State of South Carolina. He embodies the true definition of a servant
leader, and his longevity in the South Carolina General Assembly has
left a lasting mark on the State and its citizens. We are all better
for his service, and I know he will continue to serve his community for
years to come.
[[Page E858]]
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