Donald H. Holland Papers

Speaking after state Senator Donald Holland's death in 2003, former governor and Kershaw County native John C. West described his friend and colleague to the Camden Chronicle-Independent: “I knew and was associated with Don for over 50 years. I have never seen a man as honest, with more integrity, with more dedication, than Donald Holland. He was dedicated to his constituency, often termed the "little people." He shunned the limelight. He seldom took credit for things that he did and never put his own interests ahead of his constituency. I think he will go down as one of the great leaders of Kershaw County....he had that dedication to the people which characterized his life. He was just a model public servant.”

The Donald H. Holland papers document his career dedicated to public service for Kershaw County and the state of South Carolina. Serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives (1951-1954, 1957-1964), as a South Carolina District Highway Commissioner (1964-1968), and in the South Carolina Senate for over thirty years (1968-2003), Holland, at different times, represented constituents in Kershaw, Chesterfield, Darlington, Lancaster, Lee, Marlboro, and York counties.

Almost continuously in public office from 1950 until his death, Holland worked with many prominent political figures. Beginning in his early years as a representative from Kershaw County, Holland established political and personal relationships with such individuals as Solomon Blatt, Edgar Brown, Rembert Dennis, Marion Gressette, and every South Carolina governor from James Byrnes to Jim Hodges. As an active member of the Democratic Party, Holland campaigned locally and nationally, lending his support to campaigns ranging from local city council races to John West's 1970 campaign for governor to John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign. Holland's efforts both in the State House and on the campaign trail illustrate his determination to provide strong and efficient representation for the people he served.

Born on August 19, 1928 to Eugene and Alberta (Branham) Holland in the small community of Cassatt, Donald Harry Holland grew up on a farm in Depression-era South Carolina. Holland‟s rural background later inspired him to push for rural development and expansion of utility services (such as water, electricity, and telephone) in farming communities like Cassatt. Holland attended Midway School for his primary and secondary education, graduating in 1945. The following year, he joined the Army. He spent eighteen months in occupied Japan, working as a Criminal Investigation Division translator. Returning to South Carolina in 1948, Holland enrolled in the University of South Carolina Law School, earning an L.L.D. in 1951. In August of that year, Holland married Betty Bell, a home economics teacher from Kershaw County. The couple had one daughter, Elizabeth, known as Lisa. In 1951, Holland established a legal practice in Camden. Maintaining and expanding his practice throughout his political career, Holland's legal focus was criminal defense and personal injury, but extended to encompass civil and family law as well as pro bono work in the Kershaw County courts. Outside of court, Holland was actively involved in community service through membership in the Lyttleton Street Methodist Church, as well as in groups such as the Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Optimist‟s Club, Woodmen of the World, and the American Legion.

While still a student at the University of South Carolina, Holland became active in politics. In 1950, he was elected on the first ballot to the House of Representatives. Holland served six terms in the House, from 1951 until 1954, and then from 1957 until 1964. While in the House, he worked on legislation relating to issues such as education, child welfare, and problems in his native Kershaw County. Holland was assigned to the Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee (1951-1954), the Judiciary Committee (1957-1964), and the Committee to Study House Rules (1960), and was involved in the appointment process for the Public Service and Employment Security commissions.

In 1964, Holland resigned from the House of Representatives after being appointed to the South Carolina Highway Commission. Previously concerned with the improvement and expansion of roads in Kershaw County, Holland was now directly involved in the process of constructing, improving, and maintaining roads in Kershaw, Lee, and Richland counties. Holland took part in guiding the expansion of the interstate system through South Carolina by suggesting locations and improvements for I-20 and the I-77 extension. He also helped the Highway Commission navigate through controversial lawsuits contesting the path of I-95.

In 1968, Holland was elected to the Senate for District 18, comprised of Kershaw, Lancaster, and Lee counties. Serving continuously in the Senate until his death in 2003, Holland‟s district boundaries changed several times as a result of redistricting. In 1972, he was elected to a new district consisting of Kershaw, Lancaster and York counties (District 6). His district changed again in 1982 to become District 27, including Kershaw, Chesterfield, Lancaster, and Marlboro counties. Holland served as chairman of a number of committees, including the Judiciary Committee, the Election Law Study Committee, the Forestry Committee, and the General Committee. Holland also served on the Corrections and Penology Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Rural Electrification Committee.

As Representative, Commissioner, and Senator, Holland was involved in policy decisions affecting all of South Carolina. By working to establish rural development programs, supporting the construction of a new, modern hospital, and preserving historical and natural spaces, Holland also endeavored to improve the quality of life in his own home district. He was noted for his constituent service, and in 1990 he responded to a student survey with some thoughts on serving his constituents: “Since childhood I have always enjoyed helping people. As my life progressed, my service came to the Senate... One of my most enjoyable and self-fulfilling moments is to see someone (at a distance) doing well who I have been of assistance to.” Partly as a result of his reputation for service, Holland enjoyed both Republican and Democratic support in his few contested elections. In 1996, Camden resident George F. West wrote a letter to the editor of the Chronicle-Independent urging his fellow Republicans to support Holland: “Regardless of party label, Donald Holland is the candidate who will afford his neighbors the best representation. Donald Holland knows what our views are on the pressing issues that affect our lives. Donald Holland is the man we have trusted over the years to be our collective voice at the State House.”