Former US Sen. Ernest F. Hollings, 97, died Saturday.
He was a former SC governor who pushed for the launch of Midlands Tech and other statewide technical education colleges.
“I am deeply saddened this morning to hear of the passing of US Sen. Fritz Hollings, a great man, dedicated public servant, and dear friend," SC Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler of West Columbia said. 
"Sen. Hollings was a force to be reckoned with in Washington, stuck true to his convictions no matter the consequences, and never stopped fighting to make the world a better place. 
"From his fiery presence on the floor of the US Senate, to his days spent talking with fellow South Carolinians on the beaches of the Lowcountry, there was never any doubt that Senator Hollings loved what he did."
A lifelong Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1984, he served 36 years in the US Senate with Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond for 36 years.

They were the longest-serving Senate duo in history. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former US Senator.
Born in Charleston, he graduated from The Citadel in 1942 and  during World War II he served as an artillery officer in North Africa and Europe.