Members of the SC congressional delegation react to the passing of former 3rd District Congressman Butler Derrick…
Congressman Clyburn Mourns the Passing of Butler Derrick
(Columbia, SC) – House Assistant Democratic Leader and South Carolina Congressman James E. Clyburn released the following statement on the passing of Butler Derrick, former South Carolina Congressman from the Third Congressional District, today:
“Butler and I got to know each other when I worked for Governor West and he was serving in the South Carolina legislature. He was a kind man with a desire to better South Carolina and help those who called it home. He loved this state and devoted his life to making it a better place for its citizens. Our friendship grew when I was elected to Congress and he was serving as Chief Deputy Whip. His leadership and dedication to South Carolina will surely be missed.
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Wilson Statement on former Congressman Butler Derrick
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement on the death of former Congressman Butler Derrick (SC-03).
“South Carolina has lost a great statesman. Former Congressman Butler Derrick served the people of the Third Congressional District for twenty years with true distinction. I am very appreciative of his willingness to cross the political aisle and work with the late Congressman Floyd Spence to promote new missions at the Savannah River Site. Roxanne and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to all of the Derrick family during this difficult time.”
On the Passing of Butler Derrick
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement on the passing of former Congressman Butler Derrick.
“In Washington, Butler Derrick rose through the ranks of Democratic politics to become a strong voice for his party in the U.S. House of Representatives. Closer to home, he was known for a very caring and effective constituent service operation which put the needs of his constituents first.
“Butler was a good man and I will always be grateful for the assistance he provided to me in my transition to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.”
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Here’s hoping Sen. Graham doesn’t get even more grief from his primary opponents for saying nice things about a Democrat. Even when he has the excuse that this was the man he succeeded in Congress.
And how about Joe Wilson, expressing appreciation for Derrick’s willingness to work across the aisle — anathema to a significant portion of the GOP today.
The name “Butler Derrick” hearkens back to when Democrats and Republicans managed to disagree while dealing with each other as mature human beings. There was such a time, boys and girls…
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This other release from Graham, from within the same 24-hour period, is more in keeping with the times in which we now live:
It’s okay for politicians to say nice things about people after they’re dead. Before that, they have to consider the political ramifications of doing so. That’s why they are who they are.
No one would confuse you with a politician.
The only time I ever met Butler Derrick was in 1977 when he popped by the Rock Hill radio station where I was serving as news director. In the course of the conversation, it came up that I was a Marine military brat. We got to talking about Pat Conroy’s The Great Santini, which I had not yet read. A few days later, a copy of the book showed up for me in the mail with a note from him acknowledging our shared “military brat” upbringing. It was a nice gesture from a man that the SC Associated Press broadcast wire referred to as Derrick Butler on more than one occasion…
My reminiscence prompted me to search out my copy of the Conroy book. The inscription actually reads, “To a former marine dependent from a former Beaufortonian….”. For the life of me, I can’t recall WHY he dropped in at WRHI…
He was the speaker at my graduation from USC.
I actually listened. Good man.