The publication is reproduced in full below:
APPRECIATING CHAIRMAN HUGH LEATHERMAN WHO PASSED AWAY FRIDAY
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HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, Roxanne, a native of Florence, and I extend our thoughts and prayers for Jean and the family of South Carolina State Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman of Florence.
I was grateful to serve with Chairman Leatherman for 17 years in the State Senate and I saw firsthand his determined service for the citizens of the Pee Dee. He was relentless recruiting industries to locate for jobs and it is appropriate the new billion dollar terminal for the Port of Charleston is named in his honor.
We worked together as conservative Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate to develop The Renegades, challenging the status quo. With his party switch to Republican, he was unleashed to promote limited government with expanded freedom, leading to the Republican majority today.
The following is the obituary provided by the Waters-Powell Funeral Home:
Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., died peacefully at his home on Friday, November 12, 2021, after a recent non-COVID related illness. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, children, and his grandchildren.
Senator Leatherman was born in Lincoln County, North Carolina on April 14, 1931, the son of the late John and Ada Gantt Leatherman. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Ralph Leatherman. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Jean Helms Leatherman, his children: Sheila Hardee (John), Hugh Kenneth Leatherman, Jr., MD (Sue), Karen Leatherman (Robin Parker), Lynn Leatherman, Amy L. Smith (Merritt), Sarah L. Allen, MD (Keels). Grandchildren: Hugh K. Leatherman, III (Cate), Alice Anne Coakley (John), John N. Hardee, II, Ada Cathryn Allen, McCauley Allen, Louise Allen, Mary Keels Allen and Lula Smith. Great-grandchildren: Hugh K. Leatherman, IV, Tucker Leatherman, and John A. Coakley, V. Hugh is also survived by his sisters Jewell Eggleston (Max) and Jeanette Schalow
(Dick) along with niece, Tracy Eggleston.
A well-known public servant and successful businessman, Senator Leatherman received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. In 1955, he formed Florence Concrete Products in Florence, South Carolina, which grew into a successful business with over 147 employees and is still in operation to this day.
In 1967, he was elected to Town Council in Quinby, South Carolina and in 1980, he was elected to the South Carolina Senate where he continued to serve until his death. During his tenure in the Senate, he held many leadership positions including President Pro Tempore from 2014-2019 and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 2001 until his death.
His legacy is felt at home and across the entire state. He played a leading role in recruiting Honda and Boeing, among many others, to open plants in South Carolina as well as obtained funding to improve the South Carolina Port. A terminal at the Port was named in his honor for his ongoing efforts in support of this important driver to our state's economic development. He was also a leading advocate to improve South Carolina's road infrastructure.
A tireless leader and champion for Florence County, he dedicated his life to improving his cherished Pee Dee region with an emphasis on education, infrastructure, and job creation. Senator Leatherman played a vital role in gaining support and funds for enhancements to Francis Marion University, the Florence Veteran's Village, The Continuum Center for Education and Training, and Florence-Darlington Technical College, among many others. He was also key in creating the Pee Dee Medical Health Education Consortium that will enhance medical and health science education at Francis Marion.
Senator Leatherman knew first-hand the importance of a quality education and attributed much of his success to family and teachers who believed in him and ensured he became the first member of his family to graduate from college. He passed on this love of education to his children ensuring a college education became the norm and not the exception. He was often quoted as saying, ``They can take everything away from you, but they can't take away your education.''
Senator Leatherman was an active member of Central United Methodist Church and the Florence Rotary Club.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 200
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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