Press Releases

Last year was very productive, but there is still work to be done. I am writing to share with you some of the things we accomplished last year and some of the things I look forward to working on this year as we complete this two-year legislative cycle.

One of the things I’m most proud of is securing funding for the Fisher House here at the Columbia VA Medical Center. I am particularly proud of what the Fisher House will mean to veterans and their families!

The Fisher House is a home for the family members of veterans who are undergoing treatment at the VA. Family members can reside at the Fisher House rather than traveling back and forth to Columbia or incurring

the added expense of staying in hotels.

Additionally, I introduced S. 5, the “Red Flags Act,” to help keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a  risk to the community, and S. 21, the “Children’s Firearm Accident Prevention Act,” to help protect our

youngest South Carolinians. And, I supported S. 142, which protects children who have survived being trafficked and connects them with services instead of incarceration.

One of my priorities for next year is hate crime legislation. I will continue to fight for the passage of a hate crimes law for our state. Sadly, South Carolina is one of only two states that still need a hate crime law.

I believe, as do many of you, that this must change.

Last year I was honored to become one of two members of the General Assembly appointed to the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250). Chartered by the SC General

Assembly in 2018 and in cooperation with the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust (which is a national organization), we will work with similar commemorative organizations in other states. This commission will craft South Carolina’s observance of the Sestercentennial, including the role of persons of African-American descent in the Revolutionary War. In short, our mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution by educating, engaging, and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors. I am proud to represent us in this historic effort. My goal is to ensure that it is very inclusive and that it includes the story of enslaved African Americans during that time.

Finally, I would like to express my sorrow for the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator John Scott who died in August. John was one of a kind, and he loved the people of Richland County. He will truly be missed.