(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – House Speaker Murrell Smith (District 67- Sumter) delivered remarks on the House floor this afternoon after being re-elected to serve as the 61st Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Murrell Smith was first elected to be Speaker of the House on April 28, 2022 and began his term on May 12, 2022. This will be his first full term as Speaker of the House. Excerpts from his acceptance speech are included below:
“It is, once again, the honor of my lifetime to be chosen by the men and women I serve with here to be Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives. To District 67, I am honored to first and foremost be your representative. Your continued faith and trust in me has been the constant that acts as my compass. Today would not be possible without you. I am ever grateful for the support I get from Team Sumter.”
…
“As we prepare to close out 2022, it’s hard not to celebrate the fact that South Carolina is booming. In 2021, our state saw $4.3 billion in capital investment and the addition of 15,000 new jobs. In 2022, we have seen over $5 billion in capital investment (a year-to-date record for our state) and over 9,000 new jobs. While many other states struggled to even keep their heads above water during COVID and its aftermath, South Carolina emerged as one of the biggest winners.”
…
“We are certainly a unique state, uniquely positioned and at a unique time in our history where we can make transformational changes for the future of our state. I want to make clear that our current success is no accident. Years ago, people like us, sitting in this very chamber, took the time, energy, and effort to “set the table” for our state. Here we are now, years and decades later, enjoying the feast of their labors. I am here before you today to tell you that it is time we do the same – to prepare for not only this decade, but the decades to come. It is my hope that this chamber will lead the charge on tackling the biggest issues our state currently faces, while we all envision the future success our state can see.”
…
“We must educate our children, so that they will be prepared to meet the needs of an ever-evolving workforce and world. And that means educational opportunity for all, with parents choosing from the resources that best suit their children… We must have a work force prepared to meet the demands of jobs that drive this economy: engineers, STEM, and skills. These are the things that business demands, and we must be prepared to meet their demands.”
…
“Our investments in infrastructure must be statewide: from our pristine Upstate, to our beautiful Lowcountry and every single place in between. No corner or corridor of the state should be left behind when it comes to having the essential building blocks of economic opportunity… In this state, a person’s zip code should not indicate their limits.”
…
“It is our essential duty to come here, come together and find a way to work for the people of this state, not only for some, not only for our voters, not only for our areas… but for the entire state.”
…
“Being a rural lawmaker has given me a unique perspective in how to take a “big picture” approach. It takes time, it takes work, and it takes being willing to consider a viewpoint other than your own. Those are the things I promise you as we develop these solutions: my time, my work, and my willingness to consider your viewpoint on all matters. If you will extend these same considerations to the men and women that you serve with, there is no limit to what we can accomplish as a body for the good of our state. I urge you, the challenges are substantial, but so are the opportunities. Let’s address them together.”