- Kay Patterson (South Carolina politician)
Infobox State Senator
imagesize = 150px
name=Kay Patterson
state_senate=South Carolina
state=South Carolina
district=19th
term=1985 -
preceded=
succeeded=Incumbent
party=Democratic
date of birth=birth date and age|1931|01|11
place of birth=Darlington, South Carolina
date of death=
place of death=
alma_mater=Allen University ,South Carolina State College
profession=educator
spouse=Jean James
residence=Columbia, South Carolina
religion=Episcopalian |Kay Patterson is a Democratic member of the
South Carolina Senate , representing the 19th District since1985 . He was previously a member of theSouth Carolina House of Representatives from1975 through1985 .Patterson was born in Darlington County on January 11, 1931, the son of James and Leila Patterson, and was reared in Darlington and Sumter Counties by his grandmothers, Mrs. Meta B. Patterson and Mrs. Emma Joseph. He graduated from Lincoln High in
Sumter, South Carolina , in 1949. Senator Patterson attended Claflin College in 1949-1951. After he served in theUnited States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953 as buck-sergeant, he completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Social Sciences atAllen University in 1956. He pursued additional education atTemple University and attended an NDEA Institute in Black History atAtlanta University in 1963. He received the Masters of Education Degree fromSouth Carolina State College in 1971.Senator Patterson taught for fourteen years at W. A. Perry Middle School, C. A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, and
Benedict College , and served for 16 years as a UniServ Representative for the South Carolina Education Association, from which he retired in June 1986. He is a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he has served as Senior Warden of the Vestry, Secretary and Treasurer of the Vestry.Senator Patterson is active in many civic and community organizations which include the North Columbia Civic Club and life membership in the NAACP. While a student at Claflin College (1949-1951), he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Edisto Lodge No. 39 Prince-Hall Masons. Currently, he serves as a Commissioner on the Education Commission of the States, is a member of the State Reorganization Commission, and a former member of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). In January 1983, he was elected by the S. C. House Education Committee to serve on the University of South Carolina Trustee Board, the first Black to serve on the Board since Reconstruction. Senator Patterson has been an outspoken legislator championing the cause of the poor and downtrodden. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1974, and to the Senate in 1985. In 1990, he served as Chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.
As an outspoken and fiery speaker in his practice of politics, he has been a moving force in promoting and effectuating change in the state of South Carolina. He is a member of the S. C. Senate from Richland County District #19, serving on the following committees: Banking & Insurance, Corrections & Penology, Education, Finance, and Transportation. Senator Patterson also served as Commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Highways & Public Transportation. Senator Patterson currently serves as the Chairman, Richland County Legislative Delegation.
He is married to Jean James of Pinewood, South Carolina, has two children — Eric and Pamela, and a grandson Eric, Jr., and granddaughters, Ashley and Courtland.
External links
* [http://www.scstatehouse.net/members/bios/1447727099.html South Carolina Legislature - Senator Kay Patterson] official SC Senate website
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=3971 Project Vote Smart - Senator Kay Patterson (SC)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Kay Patterson
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200640&c=427110 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200440&c=59544 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200240&c=24697 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200040&c=378612 2000] campaign contributions
* [http://www.scafricanamericanhistory.com/currenthonoree.asp?month=6&year=2003 Honoree Senator Kay Patterson] at "South Carolina African American History", June 2003
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