Bill Clinton coming to S.C. to honor ex-Gov. Riley
COLUMBIA - Former President Bill Clinton is traveling to South Carolina next month to honor a former governor who served in his Cabinet, as well as on his campaign.
The University of South Carolina announced Wednesday that Clinton is scheduled to speak at an Aug. 6 reception in Columbia to officially open the special collections of former Gov. Dick Riley.
Riley, 85, chaired Clinton's presidential campaign in South Carolina and served as Secretary of Education during all eight years of Clinton's administration. Prior to that, Riley served two terms as South Carolina's governor and more than a decade in the state Legislature.
Curated for five years, the Richard W. Riley Collection includes thousands of photographs and speeches annotated with Riley's handwritten edits, as well as materials from Riley's campaigns and his efforts for others, including Clinton, former president Jimmy Carter and former vice president Al Gore, according to the university.
"I believe the collection demonstrates clearly that public service can be gratifying work, but that it absolutely requires a passion and commitment to serve the public good," Riley said, in comments provided by the university. "I hope they will learn that a good public servant will be positive and respectful, willing to listen, hear both sides of an issue, collaborate, make fair and principled decisions, have high integrity and a strong work ethic and care deeply about all people, even those who might be different or with whom one might disagree."
The university said the "Richard W. Riley: Statesman of Education" exhibit opens Aug. 6 for public view in the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library and will remain open through Dec. 23.
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