HARRELL ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Office of the Speaker
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Christy Cox
June 2, 2005 (803) 734-3125

HARRELL ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Charleston Republican officially assumes his post on June 21(Columbia) * Charleston Republican Robert "Bobby" Harrell is the newly elected Speaker of the South Carolina House. He takes over the reigns from Speaker David Wilkins who is resigning his seat after 25 years in the House to become the United State's Ambassador to Canada. Harrell received the support of the body after Richland County Representative Jim Harrison dropped out of the race earlier this morning."I am profoundly grateful to the members of the House for this great honor," Speaker-elect Harrell said. "I especially thank Jim Harrison, Doug Smith and Doug Jennings for their support and friendship. And I thank my Speaker * David Wilkins * for his steadfast leadership through the years, for being both my mentor and friend."Harrell, 49, will officially take over as Speaker on June 21 when Wilkins resignation goes into effect. Wilkins expects to be sworn-in as the new Ambassador to Canada on that day. Harrell is the current Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He was first elected in 1993 and served as House Majority Leader from 1997-99. He and his wife, Cathy, have two children * Trey and Charlotte and reside in Charleston."Bobby Harrell is a real leader and I know he will work every single day to bring honor and dignity to this House," Wilkins said. "It is so hard to say goodbye but knowing the House is in such capable hands makes it a whole lot easier."

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