Member, Banking and Insurance Committee

Member, Education Committee

Member, Ethics Committee

Member, Finance Committee

Member, Interstate Cooperation Committee

Member, Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee

Member, Legislative Oversight Committee

Co-Chair, Other Funds Oversight Committee

Chair, Subcommittee on Natural Resources

— Awards:

• Outstanding Leadership Award, Governor's School for the Arts, 1990;
• Legislative Award for South Carolinians with Disabilities by South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Association, 1991;
• Outstanding Senator for Continued Support of Public Education, South Carolina School Boards Association, 1991;
• Award for Support for Education, Palmetto State Teachers Association, 1991;
• Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to Education Award by South Carolina Council of Elementary School Principals, 1990-91;
• Future Farmers of America Honorary Chapter Degree, 1992;
• Appreciation Award by Columbia College Board of Visitors, 1988-92;
• School Health Service Award, 1992;
• Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, University of Charleston, 1992;
• Legislator of the Year Award by Independent Colleges and Universities of South Carolina, Inc., 1993;
• Commendation by South Carolina Counseling Association, 1994-95;
• Outstanding Service Award by South Carolina Agricultural Education Programs, 1994;
• Richard W. Riley Award for Exceptional Leadership and Commitment by South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Educators, 1995;
• Carl Perkins Humanitarian of the Year Award for South Carolina, 1995;
• Legislator of the Year, South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 1995;
• Honorary Doctorate of Education, Columbia College, 1997;
• Public Servant of the Year by South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, 1998;
• Award in Appreciation of Unrelenting Efforts on Behalf of the Parents and Young Children of South Carolina by Department of Education Parenting/Family Literacy Initiatives, 1999;
• W. J. Castine Partner in Progress Award for Exemplary Service to South Carolina Elementary and Middle Schools, 1999;
• Distinguished Service Award for Contributions to Higher Education and Student Financial Assistance Programs, 1999;
• Award for Exceptional Leadership and Commitment to Technical Education, 1999;
• Award of Appreciation for support by South Carolina FFA Association, 2000;
• Honorary American FFA Degree by National FFA Organization, 2000;
• Friend of Reading Recovery Award for outstanding contributions, 2000;
• Outstanding Policy Leader from South Carolina State Board of Education, 2000;
• Award for Exemplary Service to Public Education by South Carolina Association of Teacher Educators, 2001;
• Outstanding Service Award, South Carolina Education Association-Retired, 2002;
• Friend of the Taxpayer Award, South Carolina Association of Taxpayers, 2002;
• Honored by the American Institute of Architects, South Carolina Chapter, 2004;
• Recognition by South Carolina School Nurses, 2002;
• Legislator of the Year, South Carolilna Association of the Deaf, 2005;
• Outstanding Contributions to Public Education, Governor's Workforce Education Task Force & Superintendent of Education, 2005
• Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, University of South Carolina, 2008
• West Metro Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2011
• Future of Education's Golden Apple Award, South Carolina Chapter National Coalition for Public School Options, 2011
• Friend of Conservation Award. Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District, 2011
• Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, The Chairman's Award, 2012
• Citizens for Sound Conservation Peas and Carrots Award, 2012
• State Retirees Association of South Carolina, Legislator of the Year, 2012

— Father's Name:

• Harry Earl

— Mother's Name:

• Verna Leona