[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER DERRICK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a 
colleague and friend, Butler Derrick, who passed away earlier this 
month. I had the privilege of serving with Butler during my first term, 
which was his last.
  Although our service together in this body lasted only 2 years, I had 
the pleasure of working with him in the years before and the years 
since. I am honored to say he was a friend, and I know I am not alone 
in saying that he will be missed.
  Butler Carson Derrick, Jr., was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 
in 1936. His family soon returned to South Carolina, and he grew up in 
Florence. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of 
South Carolina and his law degree from the University of Georgia.

                              {time}  1045

  He took up the mantle of leadership at an early age, serving as 
president of the student body at the University of South Carolina and 
was a legal student leader at Georgia.
  After law school, he settled in Edgefield, South Carolina, where he 
started his own law firm, Derrick and Byrd. Just 3 years out of law 
school, he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, 
where he served on the Rules and Ways and Means Committees and as a 
member of the South Carolina Nuclear Advisory Board. It was during 
these years that our paths first crossed, while I was serving on the 
staff of Governor John C. West, and we became fast friends.
  In 1974, Butler was elected to this body from the Third Congressional 
District of South Carolina. He quickly distinguished himself among his 
large freshman class, becoming the first freshman ever appointed to the 
Budget Committee, on which he served for 10 years in the House, as well 
as chairing the Task Force on Budget Process for an additional 2 years.
  At the start of his third term, Butler was appointed to the Rules 
Committee, on which he would serve for the remainder of his tenure in 
Congress, serving as vice chair from 1989 to 1995.
  Butler had a way of bringing people together. The Democratic Caucus 
in those days was very ideologically diverse, from dyed-in-the-wool 
Northern liberals to old guard Southern conservatives. Born in 
Massachusetts and raised in South Carolina, Butler was uniquely able to 
bridge these divides. In 1986, he was elected to serve as a regional 
representative to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
  In 1992, his ascent in the leadership continued when he was named 
chief deputy whip, the first time that a South Carolinian had been 
named to a top leadership post in 130 years. I owe him a debt of 
gratitude for paving the way for other South Carolinians to follow in 
his footsteps.
  While Butler's service in leadership gave him a role in all the 
issues affecting the Nation, his focus never left the Third 
Congressional District. He was a tireless advocate for the textile 
industry, serving as chair of the Congressional Textile Caucus from 
1987 to 1994.
  With his district containing the Savannah River Site and Barnwell 
Nuclear Fuel Plant, he struck a balance between promoting the economic 
benefits of the industry and ensuring the health and safety of his 
constituents. Finding the right balance wasn't always easy, but Butler 
navigated the issue as he did all issues, with a keen intellect and 
fierce advocacy.
  Butler Derrick was a man who did what he thought was right and let 
the political chips fall as they may. Scott A. Frisch and Sean Q. 
Kelly, in their book, ``Jimmy Carter and the Water Wars,'' singled 
Butler out for a special commendation in this regard when it came to 
fiscal responsibility and environmental protection. It is worth quoting 
them at some length:

       Butler's support of the administration's position might be 
     considered surprising. Included in the hit list was the 
     Richard B. Russell lake project which spanned Georgia and 
     South Carolina.

  Mr. Speaker, Butler's service to South Carolina continued beyond his 
years in Congress. I close by concurring with the late Speaker Tom 
Foley, who said, upon Butler's retirement, ``Butler Derrick is a true 
leader.''
  While I miss my friend Butler, I am comforted by the fact that he 
lived a rich and full life, and he will live on through the impact he 
made in the lives of those he served. He is a model that we will all do 
well to emulate.

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