‘Blessed’: Longest-serving African American lawmaker bids farewell to SC Senate

South Carolina Democrat Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., said goodbye to colleagues after serving in the General Assembly for over four decades, a historical feat for African American lawmakers.

“I have been tremendously blessed,” Matthews said. “I would never believe a young kid from the small town of Bowman would ever wind up here in the Senate.”

Matthews is the longest serving African American legislator in the state’s history, having served in the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1984 before being elected to the Senate and serving there since 1985.

In his speech before colleagues Tuesday, the assistant minority leader encouraged fellow lawmakers to work beyond political partisanship to make meaningful change in the state.

“I’ve always believed that if you’re willing to compromise, work with the other side, sometimes, you can work out things that you might never think you could work out,” Matthews said. “We’ve made progress. Let’s continue to fight in senator dialogue, continue to work with each other in betterment of citizens of this state.”

The 80-year-old statesman gave his farewell speech inside the historic walls of the Senate chamber. His words echoed through the space where the portraits of Reverend Isaiah DeQuincey Newman hangs, the first African American to serve in the State Senate since Reconstruction, and the late Sen. Clementa Pinckney, the former pastor of Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church. Matthews’ portrait, too, adorns the Senate chamber, a tribute to his historic and lasting legacy of service to the state. It was an honor which was overwhelmingly supported by his colleagues, and one that only three African Americans have had the honor bestowed upon.

In a statement to The State, Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, D-Lexington, praised Matthews as a “public servant” and “advocate for change.”

“As our Assistant Minority Leader, his wisdom has been an invaluable resource to every member of the Senate. Through the most difficult of challenges and the best of wins, his steady determination has guided us. Sen. Matthews is one of the greatest legislators our state has ever seen. It has been an honor to work alongside my dear friend. The institution of the South Carolina Senate is better because John Matthews served.”

Sen. John Scott, D- Richland, said that while Matthews’ tenure ends with his having faithfully served the citizens of South Carolina and District 39 which encompasses portions of Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties, his efforts to improve education and rural communities in the state as well as seeking compromises with political opponents will be part of his lasting legacy with the General Assembly.

“I’ve gone to him on many occasions to sit down to talk with him about higher educational issues, along with K-12 issues because of his tenure and his knowledge and his experience previously being an educator,” said Scott, who has been serving alongside Matthews in the General Assembly for more than 30 years.

Scott told The State that the retiring Senator taught him how to be patient in the legislative process which includes working diligently with members across the aisle.

“Learn how to agree without being disagreeable,” Scott said, reflecting on lessons learned from Matthews. “The same person who may, in fact, be against you, on this particular issue, may be the person that leads the charge for you on the next issue.”

The retired elementary school principal and small-business owner is chairman of the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation and former chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. And among his many accomplishments, Matthews has been inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame, named Orangeburg County Democrat of the Year, Minority Business Advocate of the Year from the United Sates Small Business Administration and holds honorary doctorates from the Medical University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston and South Carolina State University, his alma mater.

Following his speech, one more honor was added to Matthews’ extensive list of accomplishments when Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, presented the Orangeburg lawmaker with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.

Matthews concluded his speech by continuing to encourage lawmakers to unite under a common mission to better serve their constituents and citizens across the Palmetto State.

“People will forget what you say. People will forget what you do, but people will never forget how you treat them. If you can coin that process of treating people fairly, respectfully, you will always be able to continue that service,” Matthews said. “Stand firm. Look at the needs of this state. Help us to continue to grow our state. All of us benefits, that is progress.”

This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 4:33 PM.