[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            CARROL H. WARNER

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dedicated public servant and a good friend, Mr. Carrol H. Warner, who 
passed away recently.
  A graduate of Clemson University, Mr. Warner was very involved in his 
career and community. An agricultural businessman, Mr. Warner served as 
a member of the Aiken County Board of Commissioners and since 1977 as 
the Chairman of the Aiken County Council. Additionally, he was a member 
of a number of civic organizations, including the Clemson University 
IPTAY Club, the Silverton Agriculture Club, the Aiken Rotary, the Aiken 
County Republican Party, the Wagener Lions Club, and the Kitchings Mill 
Community Club.
  Mr. President, Carrol Warner was a personal friend of mine and I will 
remember him as an individual who set a high standard for 
civicmindedness. He was a dedicated and patriotic individual who will 
be greatly missed by those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, 
Judy; sons, Bryan, Joey, and Kevin; and a daughter, Angie. My thoughts 
and prayers are with his wife and children at this most difficult time.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Mr. Warner's obituary from the 
Aiken Standard be placed in the Record following my remarks.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                       Our View--Carrol H. Warner

       Residents of Aiken County are fortunate to have had a 
     leader of the caliber of Carrol H. Warner. Mr. Warner, who 
     served for 17 years as chairman of the Aiken County Council, 
     died Feb. 5 as a result of stroke.
       Friends, fellow county officials and leaders from around 
     the state were saddened at the news of his passing.
       Mr. Warner was one of the original Aiken County Council 
     members following the institution of the South Carolina Home 
     Rule Act of 1975.
       After becoming chairman, Mr. Warner led Aiken County from a 
     fractious, warring body to one that worked together, a 
     leadership accomplishment he was most fond of.
       In recent years the county found itself in a position of 
     fiscal instability, but Mr. Warner's faith in elected 
     officials and county employees never wavered. He predicted 
     that the county would regain its financial health and it did 
     so last year after three years of austerity.
       Throughout the years, Mr. Warner was a consistent supporter 
     of fiscal conservatism--and correctly so in our view. He 
     backed the hard economic choices that promise stability at 
     the end of the struggle: employee hiring freezes, a freeze on 
     pay raises and tight limits on county purchasing.
       Mr. Warner knew such decisions would not always be popular, 
     but were necessary for the county to regain financial 
     strength and security. In regards to his viewpoint and 
     actions, he once said, ``The buck stops here.''
       He lived to see the fruits of his financial positions. As a 
     result of these measures, he pointed out in subsequent budget 
     sessions that the county's cash flow was healthy. He said the 
     county was building a $3 million reserve fund, with plans to 
     increase that into a $5 million fund.
       Mr. Warner was a long-time Republican, farmer and 
     businessman. He was married to the former Judith Van Buren 
     and was the father of four--Bryan, Joey, Angie and Kevin. The 
     63-year-old was a lifelong resident of Aiken County and 
     attended public schools in Wagener. He also attended Clemson 
     University. Warner served his country in the U.S. Air Force 
     and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
       Central to Mr. Warner's success as the leader of the Aiken 
     County Council was the fact that he was always looking out 
     for the best interest of his beloved county and the welfare 
     of its people. And no matter the topic, he was always known 
     to operate fairly and would listen patiently to the points of 
     view of various citizens, even those who disagreed with his 
     positions.
       County Administrator William Shepherd, his colleague in 
     county government and good friend, has praised Mr. Warner's 
     ability to steer the county with an open mind.
       Shepherd called the late chairman ``a servant of the 
     people. He always let them (citizens) speak their mind, even 
     when they were criticizing him and county government.''
       Carrol Warner will be fondly and appreciatively remembered, 
     and no doubt sorely missed. It is our sincere hope that Aiken 
     County will be so blessed as to have other Warner-like 
     ``servants of the people.''

                          ____________________