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Past Wilkins Legislative Award Winners on Fostering Bipartisanship and Civility
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As we prepare for the January 10 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards, we’re reminded of the examples set by past winners. Here’s a look back at what a few of these outstanding leaders had to say about how we foster bipartisanship and civility.
How do we foster bipartisanship and civility?
“Bipartisanship is synonymous with good government, and good government is the result of public servants working together to build consensus in doing the people’s business in an open and transparent manner with honor, integrity, and discipline.”
Representative Weston Newton (R-Beaufort)
2017 Award Winner for Excellence in Legislative Leadership
“I don’t look at Democrats, Republicans. I look at senators who are elected just like me, have the same goals that I have to do what’s best for the people of this state.”
Former Senator Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence) (b. 1931- d. 2021)
2007 Award Winner for Excellence in Legislative Leadership
“We all love this state, and we all want to have it succeed. We might have different ideas on how we get there, but we respect each other [and] come at it with a genuine devotion to the future of our state.”
Former Representative James Smith (D-Richland)
2011 Award Winner for Excellence in Legislative Leadership
Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards
January 10, 2023
Join us in shining a light on two exceptional individuals, people who inspire rising leaders by exemplifying what can be achieved through empathy, collaboration, perseverance, and an overriding commitment to the wellbeing of the people of our state.
The Riley Institute would like to thank Dominion Energy for supporting the 2023 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Leadership Awards as a partner-level sponsor. Learn more about Dominion Energy at dominionenergy.com.
Winner quotes excerpted from 2020 video, “Fifteen Years of Wilkins Award Winners on Leadership, Service and Bipartisanship.”