[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WANNAMAKER AWARDED ORDER OF THE PALMETTO

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, sometimes we forget that it is the 
citizens of this Nation that serve as its bedrock, men and women who 
live in our communities and who are committed to making a difference. 
Today, I would like to share with you examples of two such people, 
Betty and the late Charles Wannamaker, who were recently honored by the 
Governor of South Carolina for their civic activities.
  There is no higher award that can be given a South Carolinian than 
the Order of the Palmetto, and late last month, Gov. David Beasley 
presented two of these awards to this married couple who have done much 
to make the Charleston area of my State a place anyone would be proud 
to call home. Unfortunately, Dr. Wannamaker's award was presented 
posthumously, but given the active role he took in local affairs, he 
was certainly worthy of this high tribute. An elected official in 
Charleston County for 32 years, Charles Wannamaker was the kind of man 
who epitomized the term ``civic-minded.''
  His wife, Betty, was equally committed to making a difference in her 
community, and for two decades she served on the Charleston County Park 
and Recreation Commission. During her tenure, parks and open space in 
this Lowcountry county grew significantly, and countless families and 
visitors to the Charleston area have benefited from the many new and 
excellent parks that the commission approved and saw created. In a 
separate, but equally fitting tribute, I understand that a new park 
being built in north Charleston is going to be named in honor of the 
Wannamakers, a recognition of which they are deserving and one which is 
truly fitting.
  Mr. President, the Wannamakers made an excellent team, and through 
their concerted efforts and service, they made many valuable 
contributions to the Trident area and to the State of South Carolina. 
It is my hope that other citizens of the Palmetto State will be 
inspired by the standard for community involvement these two people 
set. We would all benefit if there were more people as committed to 
making a difference as the Wannamakers.

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