Tony Thurmond: “sometimes we forget that it is the citizens of this Nation that serve as its bedrock, men and women who live in our…”

“sometimes we forget that it is the citizens of this Nation that serve as its bedrock, men and women who live in our communities and who are committed to making a difference. Today, I would like to share with you examples of two such people, Betty and the late Charles Wannamaker, who were recently honored by the Governor of South Carolina for their civic activities. There is no higher award that can be given a South Carolinian than the Order of the Palmetto, and late last month, Gov. David Beasley presented two of these awards to this married couple who have done much to make the Charleston area of my State a place anyone would be proud to call home. Unfortunately, Dr. Wannamaker's award was presented posthumously, but given the active role he took in local affairs, he was certainly worthy of this high tribute. An elected official in Charleston County for 32 years, Charles Wannamaker was the kind of man who epitomized the term 'civic-minded.' His wife, Betty, was equally committed to making a difference in her community, and for two decades she served on the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.”