Sam Holland Photography ©
Sen John Courson bio • Born: November 21, 1944 • Graduate: The University of South Carolina • Military: United States Marine Corps Reserve
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Legislator of the Year, SC Sierra Club Legislative Champion, SC Independent Colleges and Universities Honoris Causa Member, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
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Significant Sig, Sigma Chi Fraternity Distinguished Service Award, SC Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Young Agent of the Year, Independent Insurance Agents of SC
Church: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Employment: Keenan Suggs Insurance - Senior Vice President Interests: Family, Reading, Politics, Baseball, Trains, and Tennis Family: Wife -Elizabeth Poinsett Exum Courson, married April 28, 1973 Children: James (Jay) Poinsett, Elizabeth Boykin and Harris Russell Grandchild: Elizabeth Mae Home: 2934 Wheat Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29205 Member: Several Civic and Social Organizations; Elected SC Senate in 1984
State Awards • Order of the Palmetto • Outstanding Contributions to Art Education, SC Art Education Association • Certificate of Merit, MADD • Legislator of the Year, Common Cause of SC • Senator of the Year, SC Student Government • Legislator of the Year, The American Legion Department of SC - twice • Friend to the Taxpayer Award, SC Association of Taxpayers - multiple times • Palmetto Leadership Award, SC Policy Council • Small Business Support Award, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce • Support of Higher Education Appreciation Award, Clemson University • Distinguished Service Award, Marine Corps League • Public Education – Outstanding Contributions Award, State Department of Education • Excellence in Education Award, Superintendent’s Division, SC Assoc. of School Administrators • Green Tie Award for Senate Conservation Leadership, Conservation Voters of SC • Conservationist of the Year, SC Wildlife Federation • Friend of Education Award, SC Education Association • Business Advocate Award, SC Chamber of Commerce
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SC Senate President Pro Tempore - Elected March 13, 2012 Committee Assignments: Education (Chairman), Ethics, Finance, Medical Affairs, Banking & Insurance Political Background John Courson began his active interest in politics in 1964, when he was a student at the University of South Carolina. He was an active supporter and held major leadership positions in the campaigns of Presidents Ronald W. Reagan and George W. Bush. He has served U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond as his State Chairman, State Co-Chairman and Treasurer. At three Republican National Conventions, John Courson represented President Ronald Reagan. He was honored to serve as a member of the Electoral College in 1980 and 1984 as an Elector for President Reagan. He was elected to the SC Senate in 1984 and has served continuously. In March 2012, he was elected as President Pro Tempore. Miscellaneous 1995 Elected Chairman, Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations 1997 Elected Chairman, Strom Thurmond Monument Commission 2003 Senate Representative, Counter Terrorism Coordinating Council 2003 Senate Representative, Southern Regional Education Board 2004 Elected Chairman, Armed Forces of the United States Veterans Monument Commission 2006 Doctorate of Public Administration, Honorary - The Citadel 2007 Doctorate of Laws, Honorary - The University of South Carolina 2007 Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honorary - The College of Charleston
Fall 2012 • South Carolina Agent & Broker
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