[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E509-E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF LOWELL C. ``BUTCH'' SPIRES, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Monday, March 14, 2005, a 
great Statesman, friend and father passed away quietly. Known as 
``Butch'' to those who loved him, was Lowell Colquit Spires, Jr. of 
Cayce. Outside of his many accomplishments, one of the great assets he 
had was his family and friends. He lived his life with honor, dignity 
and character. Opinionated and forthright in his speech, Butch's love 
for his community and fellow man spoke louder than anything else. He 
worked for the betterment of his community and the impact it would 
accomplish for future generations. Butch set a mark in which his 
friends and family will always be honored for and grateful. Though his 
life was too short for those of us whom are left, his strength and love 
will always be a constant in our lives. The list of accomplishments in 
no way reveal the impact he has had on many people. He used to say, 
``The utmost a man can do is to give without hesitation. The character 
of our life is defined by how we love and live, not by what we 
personally obtain.''
  Born in Columbia on May 12, 1941, Butch was a son of the late Lowell 
C. and Margaret Estelle Love Spires, Sr. A lifelong resident, he was a 
member of Kitti Wake Baptist Church. Married to Gail Julian Spires 
since August 26, 1960, Butch was employed as president with WestBank 
Consultants, LLC, and was Special Projects Coordinator for the Town of 
Lexington. He was tireless in his accomplishments over the years. He 
served on the Lexington County Council from 1977-1995, as chairman in 
1979, 1991 and 1993. He was one of Lexington County's representatives 
to CMCOG 1977-1983, 1993-present. Butch was vice-chairman of Central 
Midlands Council of Governments in 1978-79 and 1993-94, and chairman in 
1979-80 and 1994-95. He served ten terms on the CMCOG Executive 
Committee, which included the Transportation Planning Subcommittee. 
This committee facilitated formation of the Central Midlands Regional 
Transit Authority from 1999-2002, of which he was chairman from 2002-
present. On this committee, Butch spearheaded funding and construction 
in the Central Midlands Region of 27 years of highway improvements in 
seven years through SCDOT's Bonding Program.
  Butch was instrumental in securing funding to ensure continued 
development of Riverbanks Zoo, the economic development of the Midlands 
and Lexington County for over thirty years, and the development of the 
Columbia Convention Center. He originated CMCOG Wetlands Mitigation 
Bank, currently under development.
  A charter member of Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance, 
Butch was also past president of the South Carolina Association of 
Regional Councils, past chairman of Lexington County Recreation of 
Aging Commission, and past president of the S.C. Association of 
Counties. He was currently a board member of the River Alliance since 
1994, of which he originated the concept of 3-Rivers Greenway, member 
of West Metro and Greater Columbia Chambers of Commerce, served on the 
boards of Lexington Medical Center and the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity 
School.
  His honors include: Recipient of Order of Palmetto, first recipient 
of the CMCOG Regional Leadership Award in 2005, Transportation 
Association of SC Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003 for his support 
and advocacy of public transportation, named SC Ambassador for Economic 
Development by Governor Carroll Campbell in 1994, President's Cup for 
Distinguished Service in 1986, Woodrow Wilson Award in 1986, and 
recipient of the District Lay Award for SC Recreation and Parks Society 
in 1980.
  Surviving, besides his wife are, daughter and son-in-law, Mindy 
Spires-Miller and Chuck Miller of Mt. Pleasant; sons and daughters-in-
law, Lowell C. ``Corky'' and Cindy Spires, III of West Columbia, 
Randall ``Randy'' and Corrine Spires of Greenwood Village, CO; 
brothers, Nash Lagrand Spires of Birmingham, AL, Zane Erwin Spires of 
West Columbia; grandchildren, Brittany Spires Farley (Christopher I.), 
Meagan Noel Spires, Ian Juliano Spires, Katherine Rose Fallon Spires, 
Garrett Lowell Lacy, and Addy Marie Brooks Lacy.

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