Bob Coble: Louries have made profound difference for S.C.

Sen. Joel Lourie and his family have served our community and state for many generations — in business, in the legal profession and in public service. Joel’s father, the late Sen. Isadore Lourie, served in the Legislature from 1965 to 1992, and Joel Lourie has served in the Legislature since 1998, the past 11 years in the Senate. For almost 50 years both Sen. Lourie and his father have fought for progressive legislation in education, for senior citizens, economic development, the environment, health care and many other areas.

In 1977 and 1978, I worked at the law firm of Isadore Lourie and got to see personally the Lourie family’s commitment to excellence and service. As mayor I worked closely with Sen. Joel Lourie and was privileged to serve on the board of the senior center when we renamed it the Lourie Center in recognition of Senator Isadore’s service to our senior citizens.

Two issues will be the Louries’ legacy: advocacy for our senior citizens and advocacy for children.

The late senator’s contributions include sponsoring legislation that established the State Commission on Aging, the Interagency Council on Aging, the Homestead Exemption and the income exemption for the home-bound elderly.

Sen. Joel Lourie has worked tirelessly to protect children though Jacob’s Law, Ryan’s Law and Emma’s Law, among others. Joel has been a leading advocate for the children under the supervision of the Department of Social Services, working to ensure all children receive the care and attention they need.

Joel Lourie’s retirement next year from the Senate will be a loss for all South Carolinians, but the Lourie family’s commitment to public service will no doubt continue. Rarely in South Carolina’s history has one family contributed so much and made such a profound difference.

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 6:47 AM with the headline "Bob Coble: Louries have made profound difference for S.C.."