Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor the memory of nine South Carolinians lost last week. The McManus and Antonakos families, both of Greenville, were vacationing together in Alaska when the small plane they were flying in crashed on takeoff. Melet and Kim Antonakos raised three beautiful children: Olivia, Mills, and Ana. They were close friends with Dr. Chris and Stacy McManus and their wonderful children: Meghan and Connor. The loss of these two families has left the Upstate grieving, including the congregation at Christ Church Episcopal, where more than 1,200 people attended a memorial service last Friday. When you talk to folks in Greenville about the McManus and Antonakos families, a few words come up over and over: faith, character, kindness. Despite the heartbreak we feel, the Greenville community can hopefully take solace that these nine friends--nine neighbors, nine brothers and sisters in Christ--are now in a better place. We remember them not for the tragic way they died but for the joy and compassion with which they lived. I thank the Chair. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”