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“TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JULIA RAVENEL DOUGHERTY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S7858 on July 22, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JULIA RAVENEL DOUGHERTY
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am saddened to report the passing of a longtime friend, a great supporter, and one of the stalwart members of the South Carolina Republican Party, Mrs. Julia Ravenel Dougherty.
In the not so distant past, South Carolina was what was known as a one party State, where a victory in a primary election was all one needed to secure office, and where a significant segment of the population had no outlet for its views, opinions, and politics. All of that began to change in the 1960's when a cadre of forward looking politicians and interested citizens began to fight to create a true Republican Party in South Carolina.
One of the pioneers in that effort was Mrs. Dougherty, who is roundly recognized as having been a woman of great humor, strong organizational skills, and inexhaustible energy, as well as someone who was a tremendous motivator. From the Charleston County Republican Party to the gubernatorial races, and from my own Senate campaigns to the bids of GOP candidates for the White House, Julia Dougherty was always eager to roll up her sleeves and to lend her considerable talents to an election effort. Her loyalty to the party, and activism on its behalf, earned her not only the thanks and admiration of countless people, but also an appointment as a delegate to the 1964 and 1968 Republican Conventions. Her loyalty and efforts were further recognized when in 1968, she was a member of the electoral college, and cast her vote for Richard M. Nixon.
In addition to her partisan political work, Mrs. Dougherty had a strong commitment to public service, and over the years, she made many contributions to building South Carolina into an even better, safer, and more prosperous State for all its citizens. She was the first female to ever serve on the South Carolina Highway Commission, and in that role, she was a forceful advocate for the modernization of the highway patrol, as well as the increased professionalization of that force. She later served as the State chairwoman of President Carter's friendship force, and during the Reagan administration, she served on an advisory committee to the Department of Transportation. Truly an impressive record, and one of which I know Julia was justifiably proud.
Despite her great love for politics and her commitment to public service, Mrs. Dougherty never sought elected office herself. This is truly a shame for I believe she would have made even more contributions to the Palmetto State as an elected official, and she certainly would have set a high standard for ability, integrity, and dedication for others to follow.
The death of Julia Ravenel Dougherty leaves a tremendous void in South Carolina politics and life in the lowcountry. Her family, which includes her cousin and my good friend, State Senator Arthur Ravenel; husband Francis; son Park; daughters Renee and Frances; and four grandchildren, all have my deepest sympathies. Their wife, mother, grandmother, and cousin will be missed by all those who knew this most remarkable woman.
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