[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E612-E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN W. DRUMMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
statesman, a tremendous public servant and a good friend. Senator John 
W. Drummond will retire this year after serving in the South Carolina 
General Assembly since 1965. His leadership will certainly be missed.
  John W. Drummond was born in Greenwood, South Carolina, on September 
29, 1919, to mill worker parents. He was the fourth of seven children 
growing up a deeply religious, working-class family, whose values 
shaped the man John was to become.
  As a young man, John's family moved to the town of Ninety Six, where 
he attended school until he graduated in 1937. With few options 
available to him, John decided to join the military. He joined the 
263rd South Carolina Coast Artillery Regiment, the equivalent of 
today's National Guard, and was stationed in Charleston. By early 1941, 
John earned the rank of Sergeant and he enjoyed military life. 
Everything changed with the bombing of Pearl Harbor later that year.

[[Page E613]]

  John's regiment was federalized, and he was eager to see action in 
the war. He took a paratroopers exam at the Citadel, hoping to change 
his military assignment and get closer to the action. John scored so 
well, he was encouraged to become a pilot and was sent to Randolph Air 
Force Base in San Antonio for training. The skills he demonstrated in 
flight training school led instructors to send John to Tallahassee to 
become a bomber pilot. After training, he was inducted into the 405th 
Bomber Group Unit of the 510th Fighter Squadron. His skill as a bomber 
pilot earned him the nickname ``Ace.'' In September 1943, John's 
squadron was transferred from Florida back to his home State of South 
Carolina and an air base in Walterboro.
  His return home got John into some hot water. While out on a training 
mission, John buzzed his hometown of Ninety Six. This forbidden 
practice earned him a demotion in rank to 2nd Lieutenant and a winter 
of sleeping out in a pup tent.
  Finally in March 1944, the 510th received its orders to report to 
Christchurch, England, to begin its service on the war front. By May, 
John was flying reconnaissance and combat missions over the German-
occupied Normandy area of France. He rose to the rank of Captain and 
was a fighter commander. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, John was in the midst 
of the invasion protecting the ships that were attacking the beaches of 
Normandy.
  On July 29, 1944, John's plane was shot down by German anti-aircraft 
fire, and he managed to escape the burning plane, although his 
parachute didn't open fully due to his close proximity to the ground. 
Although injured, John rolled into the bushes, but was soon captured by 
German soldiers. He became a POW and was sent to a camp in Germany 
where he remained in horrid conditions until May 13, 1945.
  When he returned to the United States after his liberation, John 
spent time recovering in a military hospital from severe malnutrition 
and other ailments related to his time in the POW camp. Upon his return 
to Ninety Six, John made good on a promise he had made to himself to 
woo and marry an acquaintance, Holly Self, affectionately known as Ms. 
Holly. The two married on June 12, 1947, and had three sons.

  In 1946, John was officially discharged from the Air Force. He 
decided to go into business for himself, and opened a donut shop--the 
Golden Ring Bakery. He owned, managed and did all the work himself with 
the help of just one employee until 1954. John then accepted an offer 
from his father-in-law to become a manager at Greenwood Petroleum 
Company. He showed a real talent for the oil business, growing and 
expanding its operations. Later he inherited Greenwood Petroleum and 
began Drummond Oil Company, making both very successful businesses.
  On June 6, 1964, John announced his candidacy for the South Carolina 
House of Representatives. He won his first election, and took his seat 
in the General Assembly in January 1965. He immediately caught the 
attention of the very powerful Speaker of the House, Sol Blatt, and he 
became one of ``Sol's boys,'' which provided him invaluable tutelage 
and political opportunities.
  Just two years later, John challenged the incumbent Senator from 
Greenwood over the issue of who should provide power to their rural 
county. He, with the help of his ally Duke Power, won that contest, and 
in January 1967, John became a South Carolina State Senator 
representing Greenwood.
  Senator Drummond came into office with high ideals and a mind to 
shake up the status quo. His first effort was an attempt to eliminate 
the seniority system which controlled the Senate. His bold move was 
quickly thwarted by the Senate President Pro Tempore Edgar Brown.
  During his 43 years in the General Assembly, Senator Drummond made 
education his top priority. He was a staunch supporter of the Education 
Finance Act of 1977, the Education Improvement Act of 1984, and the 
Education Accountability Act of 1998. He was also a strong advocate for 
the Home Rule Act of 1976, which allowed counties and municipalities 
more autonomy.
  Senator Drummond has always been a proponent of more transparency in 
government. It was appropriate that his first committee chairmanship 
was of the Senate Ethics Committee. Under his leadership, the Senate 
passed the South Carolina Ethics Act of 1975, which established the 
State Ethics Commission with oversight over financial disclosure, 
campaign disclosure and conduct of elected officials. He was also a 
leading voice to expand the Commission's authority with the passage of 
the Ethics Reform Act of 1991, following the Operation Lost Trust 
scandal.
  Senator Drummond was also a key player in the restructuring of State 
government. He served on the Commission on Government Restructuring, 
which made numerous recommendations that were enacted into law in 1993. 
In order to ensure passage of these reforms, Senator Drummond used his 
role as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to threaten to 
withhold the budget until the government restructuring package was 
approved. His political maneuvering paid off, and the Restructuring Act 
of 1993 passed with bipartisan support.
  In 1996, Senator Drummond became the Senate President Pro Tempore, a 
title which he earned through the seniority system he had sought to 
dismantle as a young, independent-minded Freshman Senator. Although his 
rogue tendencies mellowed over time, Senator Drummond's effectiveness 
grew. In 2001, he became President Pro Tempore Emeritus when the 
Republicans took control of the Senate, but he didn't succumb to the 
pressure to switch parties as so many of his colleagues had.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me today in 
celebrating the extraordinary career and life of South Carolina Senator 
John Drummond, who I am proud to call one of my best friends in South 
Carolina politics and government. He is a true public servant, from his 
courageous service in World War II to his uncompromising representation 
in the South Carolina General Assembly. He has always remained true to 
the values instilled him growing up in the small community of Ninety 
Six. His tremendous legacy is one that honors his humble beginnings and 
speaks highly of his personal integrity. I commend John Drummond for 
his statesmanship and his numerous contributions to South Carolina and 
the Nation. I am proud to call him a friend.

                          ____________________