By Michael Rivers
Hello Beaufort County citizens. I am Your State Representative, Michael Rivers, Sr., representing District 121 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Scripture teaches “In all things give thanks.” This S.C. House District 121 election is about making a responsible choice. This election gives the voters of District 121 a choice between “promises” and a “record.”
I believe in the church song that says, “may the work I have done speak for me.” Look at my record; look at my receipts. In this election, “experience matters; Michael Rivers is the responsible choice.”
Many people know me from growing up on St. Helena Island, working on our family farm, enjoying hunting, fishing, shrimping and crabbing and as a product of Beaufort County Public Schools. However, I enlisted in the military delayed entry program in high school. I am a retired United States Air Force veteran, where I worked in accounting, managing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.
I studied Business Management at the Community College of the Air Force, Community College of Philadelphia, Dekalb Community College, University of South Carolina and the Technical College of the Lowcountry. I am an Honors graduate, Magna Cum Laude from Claflin University in Organization Management. I also graduated from the Technical College of the Lowcountry with a degree in Computer Assisted Design and Drafting. I also graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology, Atlanta receiving a degree in electronics. I then worked at Scientific Atlanta as an electronic engineering technician in the Research and Development division, building prototypes and various data communications, satellite and cable systems electronic equipment. I then moved back to Beaufort to be with my aging mother.
Before being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, I served on the Beaufort County Board of Education for 18 years. I am an ordained minister and pastored at Holy Redeemer Apostolic Church in Beaufort, S.C.
I have served on numerous boards including Beaufort County Recreation Commission and Parks and Leisure Services Board. I have served as a Beaufort County Poll Manager. I am a public servant. I am married to Lisa Rivers. I am a father and a grandfather.
I believe in “people over politics.” Currently, in the S.C. House of Representatives, I serve on the Education and Public Works committee and the Legislative Oversight committee. I have served on the 3M committee — Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs — and the Agriculture committee. I was elected to serve as Chaplin for both the S.C. Democratic Caucus and the S.C. Black Legislative Caucus.
While serving the citizens of Beaufort County since 2016, I have been committed to providing resources, funding and sponsoring legislation that became law.
As a freshman legislator, I sponsored the bill H. 4913 so as to designate the second Saturday of November of each year as “Penn Center Heritage Day” in South Carolina. H. 3142, which designates May 13 as Robert Smalls Day” in South Carolina, was my prefilled bill that became law.
I sponsored H. 3577 requiring additional security measures at electric substations, including security cameras to monitor substations at all times. I have co-sponsored many other bills that became law. In addition to funding provided by our Beaufort Delegation, I have sponsored funding for the Sheldon Township Project, MLK Park Upgrades, Penn Center, Altitude Academy, Beaufort County Youth Conference, Beaufort Original Gullah Festival, and The Extra Mile Club.
Experience matters. The responsible choice in this election is the choice between a candidate with promises and another with a proven record with receipts. Look at my record. Look at my receipts.
As we continue to move forward, I am humbly and respectfully seeking the opportunity to continue serving and representing the people in District 121.
Citizens of Beaufort County, I believe that we must prepare our children for the workforce of tomorrow. Education is one of the most important issues facing our young people today as we prepare them to compete globally. Education should be viewed not as an expense but seen as an investment. Last session, I sponsored bill H. 4709 that requires each school district to provide instruction in cursive writing beginning in second grade and continue in each grade through the fifth grade. The Bill passed the House of Representatives 107 to 1. However, the Senate did not vote on it. I am excited for the opportunity to see this bill become law.
We must be concerned about protecting this beautiful environment and culture. We must remember the past as well as prepare for the future. We are blessed to live in the most beautiful place in the State, the Lowcountry. We must protect our environment and rich natural resources.
We must protect the safety of all of our citizens, especially the elderly and children. Ort young people. We must continue to improve roads and help to provide economic opportunities and jobs in the county. We are making progress; however, we must continue moving forward.
As a proud native of St. Helena Island and Seaside Road, I am humbled but committed to represent all the citizens in District 121 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
As a member of the S.C. House of Representatives, given the opportunity to continue serving, I will continue to work to ensure that all voices are heard and I will always keep the best interests of the people of District 121 and the citizens of Beaufort County the priority.
Thank you for your prayers and support. People over politics. We are all in this together. Vote Michael Rivers on November 5. Let us keep moving forward.
Michael Rivers, a Democrat, is the House District 121 Representative in the S.C. State House of Representatives. He is running for re-election November 5.
