[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 60 (Monday, April 8, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3121-H3123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ERNEST ``FRITZ'' HOLLINGS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) will 
control the remainder of the hour as the designee of the majority 
leader.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I stand in 
the well here this evening with my colleagues from South Carolina. We 
are here because our State and our Nation has lost a giant of a man, 
one whom I call a one-of-a-kind statesman, Ernest ``Fritz'' Hollings.
  A native of Charleston, South Carolina, he graduated from The Citadel 
in 1947, and the very next year, 1948, he was elected to the South 
Carolina Legislature. There, he served until being elected Lieutenant 
Governor in 1954.
  I am pointing out some years here because I want to make a statement 
about the man Fritz Hollings.
  He was elected Governor in 1958.
  Now, in 1947, some interesting things were taking place in South 
Carolina at the time Ernest Hollings graduated college; and, in 1948, 
when he was elected to the legislature, a very significant court 
decision was handed down.
  The court case was Elmore v. Rice, the 1948 court case that opened up 
the South Carolina Democratic primary to people other than Whites. This 
was the atmosphere within which Fritz Hollings was first elected.
  And, of course, in 1954, when he was elected Lieutenant Governor, I 
need not tell anybody what Court decision came down that year. That was 
the year that the Supreme Court ruled that school desegregation had to 
take place. That was the atmosphere.
  So, 4 years later, Fritz Hollings gets elected Governor. I was a 
student on the campus of South Carolina State when he was elected, and 
in 1960 is when I first met Fritz Hollings.
  He was Governor, and I was organizing sit-ins in Orangeburg, South 
Carolina, and he had invited us to the State house. He gave me a great 
lesson that day in politics, so much so, that what we talked about in 
his office on that day I still have not told anybody.
  Well, fast-forward. Fritz Hollings, Governor of a State with 
tremendous challenges. So what did he do? Did he just meander through 
time, as so many did in those days? No.

[[Page H3122]]

  Fritz knew what the challenges were, and he put forth trailblazing 
legislation to create the South Carolina Technical Education System. 
That was a big deal in those days. In fact, it became a national model.
  But he didn't stop there. He blazed another trail, creating the South 
Carolina Educational Television Corporation. That was really a big 
deal, and it was viewed as trailblazing innovation, like no other State 
had made up until that time.
  But that was not his last test. In 1962, just before he was to finish 
his term as Governor, the courts ruled that Clemson University had to 
accept another Charlestonian, Harvey Gantt, as a student. Of course, 
there was much resistance.
  Fritz spoke to the legislature and said to them on that day: We have 
run out of courts, and we are going to be a nation of laws. And he 
called upon all South Carolinians to set aside the acrimony and accept 
the fact that it was a new day in South Carolina and the Nation.
  And, of course, Harvey Gantt peacefully integrated Clemson 
University. All of that was because Fritz demonstrated the kind of 
leadership that we would expect any public servant to give.
  Fritz and I became fast friends after I came here in 1992. Of course, 
we interacted quite a bit down in Charleston. Of course, he got elected 
to the United States Senate in 1966. We interacted quite a bit.
  Fritz had a tremendous wit, and I remember when I first came up here, 
1993, there was a reception held because I had become, with his help, 
the first African American to represent my State in the Congress in 95 
years. So there were somewhat interesting kinds of interactions taking 
place.
  We go to this reception, Fritz Hollings along with then-Senator Strom 
Thurmond, and I was being presented to the group. One of them made a 
joke out of the fact that I had met my wife in jail when Fritz was 
Governor.
  I guess I brought it upon myself because I reminded him of our first 
meeting and the fact that we were not exactly on the same page in those 
days.
  So, when I yielded the mike to him, he told the group about my 
meeting my wife in jail when she brought a hamburger and shared a 
hamburger with me, and he said to the crowd: ``And he has been eating 
out of her hand ever since.'' It brought a great chuckle in the crowd, 
and I was reminded never to get smart in front of Fritz Hollings again.
  Well, we have lost Fritz. But just before he really began to fail in 
health, Fritz called me and said he wanted me to do something for him. 
He said he wanted me to put in a piece of legislation to remove his 
name from the Judicial Center in Charleston.
  I asked him: Why do you want me to do that?
  He said, because Judge J. Waties Waring was the judge who made that 
decision in 1948 to open up the Democratic primary to people of color, 
he thought that J. Waties Waring, because of that decision and others--
equalizing teacher pay between Black and White teachers, writing a 
dissenting opinion in Briggs v. Elliott that became the foundation for 
the 1954 United States Supreme Court decision--he said to me: J. Waties 
Waring is the one who is deserving of having his name on that 
courthouse. That is the courthouse where the Briggs case was decided.

                              {time}  2000

  And I said to him: Now, maybe this would pass in the House, but what 
would happen over in the Senate?
  And he told me that he had already talked to Senator Graham, and he 
wanted this done. I told him I would get back to him because it is not 
something that I wanted to do.
  Well, I called Senator Graham. He told me that Senator Hollings had 
called him. But I still would not do it. I called Senator Hollings back 
and I asked him, in a second conversation, was I going to be able to 
depend upon him to hold when the bill was introduced because I 
anticipated some reactions that would be unfavorable, and in his 
Gullah-throated way, he assured me that he would stand firm.
  I then called the Congressional Research Service and I asked them: 
Has anything like this been done before? Has anyone in the history of 
this great country ever asked that his or her name be removed from a 
Federal building in order to accommodate someone else?
  They came back to me several weeks later and said, no, that had never 
been done before.
  We put forth the legislation. It passed the House and the Senate, and 
I joined with Senator Hollings and others at the ceremony removing his 
name from the Judicial Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Today, the 
name of J. Waties Waring is on that building.
  Fritz Hollings, a one-of-a-kind statesman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Wilson).
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Clyburn for 
inviting the delegation to participate in honoring the late Senator 
Ernest F. ``Fritz'' Hollings.
  Every day, when I travel across South Carolina, I am reminded of an 
extraordinary achievement of Senator Hollings, when he served as 
Governor. He helped establish the technical college education system to 
develop trained workers in manufacturing. This enabled South Carolina 
to recruit new industry, foreign and domestic.
  As Governor, there was no auto production, there was no tire 
production in our State. Today, because of the highly skilled, trained 
workers, South Carolina is the leading exporter of cars from any State 
in America. Two years ago, this was $10.4 billion of product. South 
Carolina is now the largest manufacturer and exporter of tires of any 
State. Thousands of jobs have been created.
  Our citizens will always cherish the vision of Senator Hollings to 
help families have fulfilling lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
the Hollings family and his many friends.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Horry County, 
South Carolina (Mr. Rice).
  Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Fritz Hollings dedicated his 
life to service. Whether it was serving in World War II, as Governor of 
South Carolina, or as a United States Senator, the legacy he leaves 
behind is simply amazing. He embodied what it meant to be a part of the 
Greatest Generation. He truly had a servant's heart.
  During his Governorship, he was a champion of the civil rights 
movement and helped ensure the peaceful integration of South Carolina 
schools. He is also credited with creating the State's technical 
college system which, to this day, helps people connect with jobs and 
opportunities. He also helped develop the Charleston Port, which has 
turned South Carolina into a world-class exporter and one of the most 
competitive places to do business in the country.
  An absolute titan in the United States Senate, he spent nearly 40 
years advocating for policies that would benefit South Carolinians and 
Americans.
  Though I never had the pleasure of serving with him, I know that he 
brought South Carolina spirit to Washington with his sharp tongue and 
quick wit.
  He will be missed, but we can find comfort that he is reunited in 
Heaven with his beloved wife, Peatsy.
  I am honored to join my colleagues and all South Carolinians in 
celebrating his remarkable life.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Duncan).
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise to remember and pay tribute 
to the late Senator Fritz Hollings, who was a true statesman through 
and through.
  As Governor Henry McMaster said on Saturday, learning of Senator 
Hollings' passing: ``One of South Carolina's greatest lions roars no 
more.'' Those are powerful words to describe Senator Hollings.
  His life was dedicated to the service of South Carolina and the 
United States, and the positive impact he made on our communities will 
be felt for years to come.
  I heard fine words from Mr. Clyburn earlier; he talked about his 
career. But Senator Hollings' career spanned for many decades, 
beginning with his graduation from The Citadel to his service as an 
artillery officer fighting for freedom during World War II. Like many 
in the Greatest Generation, he put his life on the line for our country 
at a very young age.
  He then moved into service on behalf of the constituents of South 
Carolina

[[Page H3123]]

in a variety of roles, including Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and, 
most notably, here in the Halls of Congress, where he spent decades--36 
years, I think--serving as a United States Senator.
  He became well known as a national figure, a trailblazer, a respected 
fighter and champion for the American people in so many areas, 
including commerce and defense.
  I met him in 1987 when I was working for Senator Strom Thurmond.
  He will go down as one of the most effective Senators on record, and 
it is safe to say, there will be no one else like Senator Hollings.
  Beyond his work ethic and advocacy for South Carolina, he was known 
as a genuine person, respected by folks from all walks of life, from 
every political party and from all 50 States.
  His decades of work left South Carolina and our Nation better off; 
for that, there is no doubt. He was the true embodiment of selflessness 
and public service. His legacy will be felt for generations to come.

  My prayers and condolences are with his loved ones, as well as 
appreciation for all he did for the lives of all of us.
  God bless his family as they mourn the loss of a true giant, selfless 
public servant, and, definitely, a dedicated leader.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Cunningham).
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Majority Whip Clyburn 
for yielding and for his service to the rest of the delegation of South 
Carolina.
  This weekend we lost the most transformational leader South Carolina 
has ever seen. Fritz Hollings left his mark on our economic 
development, our education system, civil rights, desegregation, and 
countless other areas. There is no doubt we are all better off because 
of his service.
  Hollings was once referred to as a ``Senator from central casting,'' 
and, in many ways, he represented the ideals of public service: service 
to his country in uniform during World War II, to the Lowcountry in the 
State house, and to his State as Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and 
U.S. Senator.
  He was a true statesman who exemplified character, courage, 
integrity, and honor. The action he took was often not easy or 
politically popular, but it was always with what was best for South 
Carolina in mind.
  As we honor his life over the coming days and weeks, I hope we can 
all pause to reflect on how his legacy can guide us now more than ever. 
Hollings made a lifelong career out of fearlessly doing what was right, 
working across the aisle to reach remarkable achievements, and always 
putting the people of South Carolina over politics. We need that sort 
of leadership now more than ever.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Morelle).
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also add my condolences to 
the Senator's family.
  I remember, as a young boy growing up interested in politics, that I 
was always struck by his thoughtfulness, the demeanor in which he held 
himself in an era where we were in full-contact politics all the time. 
Senator Hollings was an extraordinary American and a great patriot, and 
I join with my colleagues in offering condolences to the family and 
remembering his extraordinary legacy.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close this tribute tonight 
by acknowledging that this is the 50th year since Fritz Hollings' 
hunger tour.
  A lot of people may remember, in 1969, Ernest Hollings embarked upon 
a tour--or several tours of South Carolina. The first one was on 
Charleston's East Side, and it was my great honor to lead him, along 
with Sister Mary Anthony, on that tour so that he could see some of the 
anxiety, some of the wanting that was present in his hometown.
  He went from there to other places throughout the State, most 
especially, Beaufort, Jasper County. Many people may remember, he, 
after a tour with a Dr. Gatch in Beaufort County, Fritz wrote a book 
called ``The Case Against Hunger.'' That book was eye-opening to a lot 
of people.
  In fact, he made the case for significant expansion of community 
health centers throughout the South, and he made the case for what we 
now call the WIC program: Women, Infants, and Children. It was that 
book and that tour; and 2 years later, I took a tour with his classmate 
from The Citadel, John Carl West, who was my mentor in government.
  When West became Governor, he then took a tour. He wanted to retrace 
some of Fritz's steps and redouble the efforts to eradicate poverty.
  Poverty is still with us. Ill health is still with us. Hunger among 
children is still with us.
  I am going to be moving, at several points this year, to memorialize 
Fritz by calling upon my colleagues to redouble our efforts for 
children, for women, for infants, for the poor.

                              {time}  2015

  I would hope that as we think about Fritz, we will think about that 
passage of scripture found in Matthew 25 where we are told that it is 
incumbent upon us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and do right 
for those who are less fortunate.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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