NBCSL’s newest president, Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), recently made history when she presided over the South Carolina House during its Dec. 4 organizational meeting. By House tradition, Cobb-Hunter presided as the longest-serving member, until Speaker Jay Lucas was re-elected to the post. However, Rep. Cobb-Hunter is not only the longest currently serving member, she’s also the longest-serving black House member ever in South Carolina and, as the session’s temporary chair, the first black legislator since Reconstruction to swear in new members. Another year and she’ll also be the longest-serving female representative surpassing the 28-year record of former Rep. Denny Neilson, D-Darlington.
Rep. Cobb-Hunter was sworn in as president of NBCSL by her former House colleague, South Carolina Chief Justice Don Beatty, at NBCSL’s annual legislative conference last month in Brooklyn.
The only lesson you really need to learn is the one you learned in kindergarten. Be kind, be respectful, be civil, Rep. Cobb-Hunter told freshmen legislators Dec. 4. All of us have a right to our opinions and we should commit to agree when and where we can, but also agree to disagree but not be disagreeable.
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