[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JULIA RAVENEL DOUGHERTY

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am saddened to report the passing of a 
longtime friend, a great supporter, and one of the stalwart members of 
the South Carolina Republican Party, Mrs. Julia Ravenel Dougherty.
  In the not so distant past, South Carolina was what was known as a 
one party State, where a victory in a primary election was all one 
needed to secure office, and where a significant segment of the 
population had no outlet for its views, opinions, and politics. All of 
that began to change in the 1960's when a cadre of forward looking 
politicians and interested citizens began to fight to create a true 
Republican Party in South Carolina.
  One of the pioneers in that effort was Mrs. Dougherty, who is roundly 
recognized as having been a woman of great humor, strong organizational 
skills, and inexhaustible energy, as well as someone who was a 
tremendous motivator. From the Charleston County Republican Party to 
the gubernatorial races, and from my own Senate campaigns to the bids 
of GOP candidates for the White House, Julia Dougherty was always eager 
to roll up her sleeves and to lend her considerable talents to an 
election effort. Her loyalty to the party, and activism on its behalf, 
earned her not only the thanks and admiration of countless people, but 
also an appointment as a delegate to the 1964 and 1968 Republican 
Conventions. Her loyalty and efforts were further recognized when in 
1968, she was a member of the electoral college, and cast her vote for 
Richard M. Nixon.
  In addition to her partisan political work, Mrs. Dougherty had a 
strong commitment to public service, and over the years, she made many 
contributions to building South Carolina into an even better, safer, 
and more prosperous State for all its citizens. She was the first 
female to ever serve on the South Carolina Highway Commission, and in 
that role, she was a forceful advocate for the modernization of the 
highway patrol, as well as the increased professionalization of that 
force. She later served as the State chairwoman of President Carter's 
friendship force, and during the Reagan administration, she served on 
an advisory committee to the Department of Transportation. Truly an 
impressive record, and one of which I know Julia was justifiably proud.
  Despite her great love for politics and her commitment to public 
service, Mrs. Dougherty never sought elected office herself. This is 
truly a shame for I believe she would have made even more contributions 
to the Palmetto State as an elected official, and she certainly would 
have set a high standard for ability, integrity, and dedication for 
others to follow.
  The death of Julia Ravenel Dougherty leaves a tremendous void in 
South Carolina politics and life in the lowcountry. Her family, which 
includes her cousin and my good friend, State Senator Arthur Ravenel; 
husband Francis; son Park; daughters Renee and Frances; and four 
grandchildren, all have my deepest sympathies. Their wife, mother, 
grandmother, and cousin will be missed by all those who knew this most 
remarkable woman.

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