[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E45-E46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              APPRECIATING CONGRESSMAN ARTHUR RAVENEL, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, former Congressman Arthur 
Ravenel entered into eternal rest on January 16th. Congressman Ravenel 
was a pioneer in developing the modern Republican party in 1960, when 
there were no Republican elected officials at any level in South 
Carolina. In 2022, all statewide officials are Republican, with super 
majorities in the State House and Senate, being the largest Republican 
majorities at every level in 150 years. I especially appreciated his 
encouragement to begin a Teen Age Republican Club with State Party Vice 
Chairwoman Julia Ravenel Dougherty at the High School of Charleston for 
the presidential campaign of Senator Barry Goldwater. It is appropriate 
that the following tribute for Arthur Ravenel be provided.
  Arthur Ravenel, Jr. was born March 29, 1927, to Mary Allen Boykin and 
Arthur Ravenel in Charleston, SC. He was raised on his father's small 
farm in St. Andrew's Parish. He attended public schools and was an 
Eagle Scout. After his graduation from St. Andrew's High School, he 
volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and was called to duty 
on his 18th birthday. After his service with the Marine Corps, he 
attended The College of Charleston on the GI Bill and graduated in 1950 
with a degree in history. His first job was with the Westvaco Paper 
Mill as a laborer and in 1952 he started a home improvement business 
and built it into a successful general contracting and real estate firm 
so that he was able to retire at the age of 50 and devote his full 
energies to public service.
  Mr. Ravenel began his career in politics in 1953 when he was elected 
to the SC House of Representatives where he served until 1958 and 
earned a reputation for being a conservationist. In the early 1960's he 
was instrumental in helping to build the modern day Republican Party, 
serving as the First District Chairman, the state finance chairman and 
as a Goldwater Delegate to the GOP Convention in San Francisco in 1964. 
In those early days of the GOP, he ran several unsuccessful races for 
the SC Senate and finally, in 1980 he and Glenn McConnell were elected 
as Republicans to the State Senate. In 1986 he ran for the US.Congress 
upon the retirement of Thomas Hartnett and served four terms in 
Washington.

[[Page E46]]

In 1994, he ran for Governor but was defeated in the GOP Primary. In 
1996, upon the request of Mayor Harry Hallman of Mt. Pleasant, he again 
ran for the SC Senate and led the effort to find the funding to replace 
the aging Cooper River Bridges. With the enthusiastic help of many, he 
accomplished the mission. The next year, frustrated with the failing 
schools in Charleston County, he again offered himself for public 
service and was elected to The Charleston County School Board.
  During his long public service, Mr. Ravenel was affectionately known 
as ``Cousin Arthur'' for his tireless work on behalf of his 
constituents. In addition to helping find funding for the new bridge, 
he was also responsible for helping to secure the initial funding from 
the General Assembly to procure the Avery Institute at the College of 
Charleston. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Low Country 
Graduate Center, a cooperative venture of MUSC, The College of 
Charleston, The Citadel, USC and Clemson, through his efforts with the 
Charleston County Legislative Delegation and was particularly proud 
that it was done without the necessity of legislative action.
  After the birth of his son, William, who has Down's Syndrome, he 
became a passionate advocate in creating and promoting services for the 
developmentally disabled and served as president of the SC Association 
for Retarded Children. He sponsored legislation with Senator Bill 
Mescher of Berkeley County to prevent The Department of Disabilities 
from closing any of its habitation centers without a vote of the 
General Assembly.
  A lifelong conservationist and environmentalist, he was successful in 
getting passed an amendment to the State Appropriations Bill to assign 
a modest percentage of the documentary stamp revenues to purchase and 
protect South Carolina's natural and cultural heritage sites for the 
Heritage Land Trust Fund, which owns over a hundred thousand acres. He 
with his wife, Jean Rickenbaker Ravenel, have placed conservation 
easements over some of their own properties.
  In 1995, he was asked by Governor David Beasley to head up the newly 
formed Redevelopment Authority created to breathe new life into the 
closed Charleston Naval Base. Within a few months, he successfully 
guided the RDA to lease out vital portions of the industrial area, 
including the dry docks leased to a local firm. He also assisted the 
Academic Magnet School in to finding a new home on the Old Naval Base. 
When he left to return to the Senate, the RDA was well on the road to 
the outstanding success it now enjoys.
  A life member of The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Mr. Ravenel was 
very proud of his grandfather, Edward Ravenel, who served as a courier 
on General Hardee's staff at The Battle of Bentonville in NC. Private 
Ravenel had been a member of the Stono Scouts which was made up of men 
from The Sea Islands surrounding Charleston and was led by Captain 
Walpole. While in the Senate, Mr. Ravenel was active in negotiations to 
remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the State House Dome to the 
Soldiers' Monument in the front of the Capitol.
  During his service on the Charleston County School Board, he was most 
proud of leading the contentious and successful battle that resulted in 
the opening of the Math and Science Charter School.
  A life long member of The French Huguenot Church, he was active in 
the revitalization of the church and traveled around the world 
interviewing prospective clergy for the reopening of the church. He 
served on its board for 55 years. He has also been a member of the St. 
Johns Hunt Club, The South Carolina Society, The Washington Light 
Infantry, The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, The Carolina 
Yacht Club and The Fort Moultrie Camp of the Sons of Confederate 
Veterans.
  He is survived by his brother, Edward Ravenel, his wife, Jean 
Rickenbaker Ravenel and his former wife, Louise Ravenel Dougherty, his 
six children; Suzanne Ravenel, Arthur Ravenel, III (Heidi), Renee R. 
Brockinton (Harvey), Eva R. Ravenel (of the late Rene Ravenel), William 
Ravenel, all of Charleston, SC and Thomas J.J. Ravenel of Aiken, SC. 
Four step-children, Jean Elliott Manning, Heath Manning, Jr. 
(deceased), Mary Locke Olliphant (Murray), and Dibble R. Manning 
(Carla) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
  The family wishes to express their appreciation to his wonderful 
caregivers Geraldine Jameson, Luc Maxineau, Philip Edles, Paul Dennis, 
and The Lutheran Hospice of South Carolina.

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