House honors students and community leaders, closes Black History Month and announces public memorials

Ceremonial recognitions and community announcements dominated the opening of the House session, as members welcomed student groups, honored local leaders and closed out Black History Month.

Representative Cody Mitchell introduced championship teams from Chesterfield County, including the 2025 South Carolina High School Strength Coaches Association Class A state champions and a Dixie Darlene softball team; he named coaches Beau Boyle and Nita Coleman and listed players from the softball roster. Representative Grant recognized Nathaniel Barber, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, citing the organization’s growth and large New Markets Tax Credit allocations, including $50,000,000 in 2023 and a $75,000,000 allocation more recently.

Representative Rivers delivered extended remarks about Robert Smalls as part of Black History Month programming, highlighting his Reconstruction-era service in the state House, in the state Senate and as a U.S. congressman and his advocacy for public education. Representative McDaniel closed the month by inviting guests forward and urging unity while emphasizing that legislative debate is not personal.

Members also announced public events: Representative Kirby told the chamber that Reverend Jesse Jackson will lie in state at the State House on March 2; a procession from Levy's Funeral Home is scheduled at 9 a.m., the State House will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and a memorial service is planned at Brooklyn Baptist Church in West Columbia later that day. The House adjourned with a motion to meet again on Tuesday at noon.

The session also included multiple committee reports and bill introductions across education, judiciary and other committees, which were read by the Clerk during the calendar portion of the session.